GongNews … truth in defense of a just society
Related Articles
*For missing Wrestling’s Golden Grand Prix
*Igali laments how their efforts are being rubbished
By Oluwole Francis
Nigeria and her Wrestling Federation, will be sanctioned N40million as well as, face an imminent ban from international competition by the World body if we fail to participate at the Golden Grand Prix in Baku Azerbaijan billed to take place from the 24th-26th of November 2016.
According to sources close to the International Wrestling Federation, “only the Gold medalists in their weight classes at the continental level and medalists at the Olympics are eligible to compete at this prestigious tournament.
Nigeria has four gold medallists in Africa that are qualified to represent the continent, they are: Odunayo Adekuoroye, Aminat Adeniyi, Amas Daniel and Blessing Oborududu.
In order to make participation affordable, the host country is responsible for accommodation, feeding, ground transportation and accompanying fees. All the participating nations are only required to do is to provide air transport and accompanying visa fees.
“If your country misses the tournament, you stand the chance of being fined $2000 per person that does not show up at the tournament and a possible two year ban,” said an official of the Confederation of African Wrestling.
Speaking on phone, Hon Daniel Igali who is the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation said, “I am very sad right now. It is very certain that we have missed the Baku tournament. The fine we are paying and the possible fine are there waiting. Missing Baku has taken us back some years ago.”
He confirmed the issue of the fine and ban saying, “I made the conditions clear to the Federal Ministry of Sports both formally and informally. All they told us is there is no money.”
It would be recalled that when Nigeria was to also participate in Table tennis’s continental championships, the team were told to forget the championships because there was no money. Eventually, Nigeria clinched an appreciable outing including winning the two singles titles and the same Ministry officials were the highest celebrants.
