No fewer than 270 medals are up for grabs at the maiden edition of Governor Nyesom Wike National Wrestling championship billed for Port-Harcourt from November 23-30.
This was disclosed at a press briefing held in Port Harcourt by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) headed by the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, alongside other members of the committee on Tuesday.
According to Iyaye, no fewer than 600 wrestlers from 24 states have so far registered to compete for honours, while more states are expected before the deadline for registration.
The LOC chairman further disclosed that Rivers was not just hosting, but is prepared to do battle, as no less than 90 wrestlers from the state would be seeking for honours on the podium.
He stressed that adequate arrangements have been made for security, adding that the state has hosted numerous events in the last two years without a single security issue being recorded.
Also speaking, the Alternate Chairman of the Media/Publicity Subcommittee, Honour Sirawoo, who read the schedule of programme, stated that the LOC has made necessary arrangement for a hitch-free championship, pointing out that Rivers has always been known for hosting credible events.
He urged sports journalists to play their roles as a way of engendering a successful championship and emphasized the need to cross check issues before going to the press, noting that the image of Nigeria is sacrosanct.
Sirawoo, who is also the President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), explained further that wrestlers, officials, journalists and members of the public are assured of a good time as Governor Nyesom Wike has provided the necessary logistics for a successful championship.
On the issue of doping, the chairman of the Medical subcommittee and Rivers Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike said appropriate medical facilities have been put in place to checkmate drug cheats and other medical issues.
Teams and technical officials are expected to arrive on Thursday November 23, the challenge commences on November 26, while the official opening and unveiling of logo for the 2018 African Wrestling Championship is scheduled for November 27.
