A team of Nigerian wrestlers will next week travel out to Tunisia to participate in the 2019 African Wrestling Championship, following the country’s confirmation of participation.
This much was made known by Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) president, Honourable Daniel Igali, who, however, said only a limited number of grapplers will make the trip, due to lack of funds.
Igali admitted there had been initial doubts about Nigeria’s presence in Tunisia, due to cold feelers from the ministry of sports, but he disclosed that the wrestling federation went all out to ensure they got slots.
Though he further disclosed that N320,000 budgeted for the flight ticket of each wrestler has now fallen below the current price of N500,000 due to their late purchase, the team will be in Hammamet, Tunisia.
He added that the list of wrestlers will have to be cut to the amount of funds available to ensure they are comfortable at the event, which is also qualifiers for the 2019 World Championship in Bulgaria come July.
Igali disclosed: “For now, Odunayo Adekuoroye is the only Nigerian wrestler in the top six in any weight category in the world, ranked fourth in the women’s 57kg.
“Ranking points at the championship would give the wrestlers chance to improve their world rating.
“The top six ranked in each weight category qualify automatically for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.”
