Less than three days to the start of the World Wrestling Championship in Paris, the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali revealed that the federation is yet to access funds to sponsor the team for the prestigious event.
“As I speak to you, we still don’t have funding for the world championship,” Igali said.
Igali made the revelation at the unveiling of Team Nigeria consisting of six wrestlers and two coaches in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
The 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalist and 1999 World Champion decried lack of preparations and support from the Federal Ministry of Sound.
He expressed optimism that both Bayelsa and Rivers states will rescue the federation from missing the championship.
“We have hopes in different places and I’m sure of the Bayelsa state government coming through at some point. The Rivers State Government have been supportive too”, Igali said.
Head coach, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Victor Kodei, said the team had to assemble in Bayelsa in order to put up finishing touches before departure.
“The athletes are very focused and their camping was short though we were all training in our respective states before coming down to Bayelsa last two weeks to see that everything looks uniform”, the 14 times Africa champion said.
The World Wrestling Championship is expected to kick off on August 21st and run through till 26th August, 2017.
