The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali on Friday, expressed dismay over the exclusion of his sport in the 2017 Nigeria Sports Award.
Igali, who queried the rationale behind the exclusion of the grade A Sport in the country, argued that it is the country’s highest medal producing sport.
Referring to the case of Odunayo Adekuoroye, who was a World Silver Medalist, he wondered why she was not considered for the awards.
The NWF President said the World Silver medalist is not only the combat sports woman of the year but sports woman in 2017, with her exceptional performance at the Wrestling Championship in Paris, France.
“How do I vote when there is boxer of the year and weightlifter of the year but there is no wrestler of the year on the ballot?”
“You mention three sports in Nigeria and you don’t mention wrestling? You are living on another planet. It is unacceptable to me”, Igali said.
“No one even comes close to her in the combat category. My point is, in the categories for nomination, there is no wrestler of the year.”
“Adekuoroye is not only combat sports person of the year, she is the sports woman of the year without a doubt in my mind”, the 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalist said.
The press conference of this year’s Nigeria Sports Award was held on 15th August, 2017 in Lagos with nomination opened on 19th August, 2017.
Present at the press conference were: It’s chairman, Dr Kweku Tandoh, Mitchell Obi, Pa Fabio Lanipekun, Chief (Mrs) Falilat Ogunkoya, Olumide Oyedeji amongst others.
