The second edition of Governor Seriake National Wrestling Championships has witnessed an unprecedented registration by states and clubs as over 420 wrestlers have been enlisted for the five-day bouts in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The second edition will run from December 15 to 20 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.
The female wrestlers will be staged on December 17. About 32 states and four clubs have filled and returned their forms for the championship.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali, expressed his federation’s gratitude to Governor Dickson for his support and personal commitment to the growth of wrestling in Nigeria.
Igali said that he was overwhelmed with the number of wrestlers registered for the second edition of the championships, adding that it would be a befitting Christmas carnival for the people of Bayelsa State.
“My special gratitude goes to the sports-loving governor Dickson for accepting to host and sponsor the championship in spite of his busy political schedule. The governor is like a pillar for the wrestling federation. His support has been tremendous and he personally visited the wrestlers in Glasgow, Scotland during the Commonwealth Games. He always has one-on-one relationship with the wrestlers and even motivates them financially.
“I am surprised at the number of wrestlers coming for the championships which is an improvement on the first edition. My technical team is on ground and well equipped to handle the situation though we have warned that only wrestlers with valid licence would be allowed to participate in the fiesta.”
The five-day championships will feature wrestlers in freestyle, male and female, and Greco-Roman. [myad]
