The Namibia Wrestling Federation at the last African Championships held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State paraded Cadet and junior wrestlers focusing on the developmental aspect of the sport.
The head coach of Namibia Wrestling Head Coach, Luise Forcelledo disclosed to aclsports.com in an exclusive interview that he learnt English during his stay at the Southern African country.
Forcelledo hails from Cuba and is in Namibia to teach the rudiments of wrestling and also groom wrestlers for the country.
ACLSports.com: How will you describe your stay in Namibia thus far?
Forcelledo: The people of Namibia are nice and hospitable. In Cuba where I come from, we don’t speak English but upon my arrival here, I was taught a little bit of English to follow with the people around me especially my wrestlers.
I’m in Namibia on contract bases and its solidarity between the Wrestling Federation and my people.
ACLSports.com: One of your brightest wrestlers, Romio Recardo Goliath lost in the Semi Finals of the juniors’ event at the Last African Championships. How did you feel?
Forcelledo: Till now, I’m not feeling very well because I prepared for the finals. My boy before getting to the Semi finals beat both South Africa and Nigeria which made Namibia the favorite. The plan was to go for gold but this is wrestling, some lose, while others win. Goliath lost to the Algerian wrestler due to technical mistake but winning bronze is not bad at all.
ACLSports.com: What next after the African Championships?
Forcelledo: Well, it all depends on the Namibia Wrestling Federation because I am currently under contract. If they renew it fine, if they don’t, I move ahead. The wrestlers have become part of my family and I hope to continue with these set of wrestlers because they have potentials of becoming champions in the nearest future.
ACLSports.com: Lastly, what will be your ratings on the just concluded African Championships in Nigeria?
Forcelledo: Nigeria did a great job hosting the Africa Wrestling Championships. I never knew the country had such diversity in culture, hospitable people and humble minds. I must commend the United World Wrestling (UWW) Africa for bringing the event to Sub Saharan Africa. My wrestlers did not want to leave Nigeria but we had to go home. I hope Nigeria gets another chance to host the African Championships again.
