Over 50 wrestlers will converge on Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, for the first ever champion of champions tourney in preparation for the rescheduled 2020 Olympics games in Tokyo, Japan, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has said.
Igali made the disclosure on Friday during an interactive session with executive members of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in his office in Yenagoa.
Igali, who is also the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, while felicitating with SWAN members over the new year, said the essence of the initiative was to keep athletes busy and prepared for the Olympics and other competitions.
The NWF president explained that the competition would also feature the top five wrestlers in the six Olympic weight classes in Women Wrestling and Freestyle events.
He stated that the competition would take place at the ultra-modern Theatre Wrestling Complex, Yenizue-Gene, Yenagoa, from January 15 to 18 under strict Covid-19 compliance.
He pointed out that as commissioner for youth and sports development, he would continue to initiate programmes that would develop sports in the state.
On the forthcoming National Sports Festival, Igali said the state contingent was fully prepared for the tournament, noting that the state athletes would soon commence camping for the showpiece in Benin City, Edo State.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of SWAN, Mr Alambo Datonye, said the body would continue to promote the development of wrestling and other sports in the country.
NWF President later conducted executive committee members and other sports journalists round some of the facilities at the ultra-modern Theatre Wrestling Complex in Yenizue-Gene, Bayelsa.