Assistant Director of Army Physical Training in Kaduna, Major Timipre Okou has made the list of United World Wrestling (UWW) referees to officiate at international championship in 2023.
In a document obtained by www.aclsports.com, Major Okou is among the three Nigerian referees and the first in the military vis-a-vis Niger Delta University to make the list of UWW Referees’ Commission for 2023.
Major Timipre Okou and Sani Sunday are the only two Nigerian referees in the Category III while Chairman of Nigeria Wrestling Referees Association, Usman Yusuf is the only Category II referee in Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with www.aclsports.com, Major Timipre Okou expressed delight over the achievement in Bayelsa, the Nigerian Army and Nigeria at large.
Major Okou promised to improve on his performance at national and international refereeing in 2023.
He said, “I feel very good and happy being among the three Nigerian referees and the first in the military vis-a-vis Niger Delta University to make the list of United World Wrestling (UWW) Referees’ Commission for 2023.
“I know the expectations are currently high and I promise to improve on my performance at national and international refereeing in 2023, as well as upgrade to higher levels in officiating at the international fora in 2023 and beyond.
“I hope to organise training clinics for upgrading young referees in 2023, which I have started at the last National Sports Festival, where referees in training were upgraded to national referees and 2 from the Nigerian Army in Asaba, Delta State.
“Before the second quarter ends, I should be able to run national wrestling officiating clinics in the six geo-political zones of the Nigerian nation among others, reflect on what I have learned to improve myself and Nigerian wrestling team on the modifications (rules) for better performance/outing.
He added that deliberate efforts will be made to change the narrative that requires such changes at national championships in 2023.
Major Timipre Okou got upgraded to a Category III referee following his certification by the United World Wrestling (UWW) in Alexandria, Egypt.
Okou hails from Isampou in Ekeremor local government in Bayelsa is currently an Assistant Director, Army Physical Training, Kaduna and an Adjunct Lecturer, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island Bayelsa State.
