The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday said the successful hosting of the 2018 Africa Wrestling Championships is currently on the forefront of the state.
Wike made the comment while inaugurating the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2018 African Wrestling Championship scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt next February.
Wike charged members to organise a world-class event stating that this is the first of it’s kind in Nigeria.
He said, “Commissioner for sports, this is not football. This is an African Championships and we must put in our very best. Port Harcourt will host Africa next February and it’s not a local competition or Rivers United. We must set a standard”.
“The Wrestling Championships must be world class. If it can’t be, let us near first class. Take this assignment very seriously. I urge you to start working immediately”, Wike said.
“You know the importance of this tournament. You know how the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel Igali struggled to get this for us to host. I don’t want this to be something that we’ll regret at end of the day. So you must give all it takes and commitment to the success of the event.
Responding, on behalf of the committee, the chairman who doubles as Rivers State commissioner for sports, Boma Iyaye expressed optimism over the successful hosting of the African championships.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank his excellency for giving us the privilege to serve the state. We are not the best, but at this time, we’ll justify the confidence you have in us”, Iyaye said
He assured Governor Wike of total dedication and sound delivery of the mandate.
