By Uzor Odigbo
Sequel to the embarrassing outing of team Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the President Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr. Daniel Igali, has called on the Federal Government to take sports development seriously.
Igali made the call during a press briefing session with journalists in Asaba on Wednesday.
The former World and Olympic champion said the fire brigade approach to tournaments has contributed to the underdevelopment of the game across the country, thus hindering the progress.
Igali noted that if nigeria wants to do well in international events, it must re-channel its focus on things that matter, which is the age grade competition, stressing that deliberate steps must be made to eliminate age cheating as the aim of the tournament is being defeated.
Igali, who maintained that every tournament comes with its peculiarities, said the Youth Games are becoming a failed projection because those obligated to screen athletes have turned it to the highest bidder kind of game
“To address this challenge, we must adopt a proactive approach. The government would have to take sports development seriously. Having said that, I must commend Delta State Government for hosting the Youth Games, but I must express my unhappiness about the tournament; which is age cheating because this is the most important competition we have in the country today,” Igali stated.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner For Sports, who said the advancement and promotion of grassroots sports should be encouraged at all levels frowned at some states wanting to win at all cost, hence discrediting the efforts of others.
Meanwhile, the NWF President said that the Wrestling Federation will invite six top wrestlers from the ongoing 8th National Youth Games in Asaba to join the national camp in Bayelsa for intensive training and nutrition.