November 07, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State government says it is pleased with the continuous progress of the Governor’s National Wrestling Classics and the 3rd Gov Douye Diri wrestling championship in the last three editions.
Governor Diri made this known at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhurdjakpo, said the hosting of the championship was not an accident that Bayelsa has dominance in wrestling which started from the old Rivers State.
The governor noted that Bayelsan wrestlers made Rivers State proud on the global stage, the likes of Jackson Bidei, Victor Kodei, Macauley Appah and Irigha Eferebo, stating that the government uses sports as a tool for crime control.
According to him, the essence of hosting the tournament was beyond winning laurels but an avenue for wealth creation, noting that drugs and sports don’t go together and that the Bayelsa State government is deliberate about the development of the sports.
The state helmsman noted that the desire of the state was to see more of Daniel Igalis and Blessing Oborududu from the state triumph in tournaments on the global stage, pointing out that the prosperity administration has no regret in investing hugely in sports.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and Commission for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali, commended the government for the immense contribution towards the progress of wrestling in the last twelve years. Adding that the tournament is the longest-running competition in any sports hosted by a state government.
He stated further that the achievements of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation were incomplete without the support from the Bayelsa State government, stressing that the federation has achieved more than any other federation in the nation.
Meanwhile, the 3rd Gov Diri wrestling Classics entered day two with Christian Ogwusoya of Ondo State winning gold in the women’s 53kg, Eswi Ayo of Edo State finishing second while Happiness Soso of Delta claimed bronze. Adijah Idris of Rivers clinched gold in 55kg women’s wrestling, Tarilayefa Bekefula came second, and Joseph Ozioma of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps finished third position.
Godday Eseimokumoh of Bayelsa in the 97kg secured gold, Edo State Bradford Gbaluimi came second as Ezekiel Appah of Rivers settled for third position. Kuro Agustine of Delta came first Greco-Roman as Ipalibo Somina and Odum Alokariton finished second and third position in the 130kg.
Burutu’s Preye Dike came first in the 52 Kg Greco-Roman, Cross River Usani Bassey settled for second and third position. Ebi Sambo of Bayelsa won in the 97k Greco-Roman while Shadrack Hunu of the Nigeria Police Force finished third position.
However, Progress Benson of Rivers in the 125kg freestyle came top, with Bayelsa’s Zikenna Amen in second, while Matilda Doueridei could only manage third position.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
