October 19, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Wrestling Federation Board Member-Elect, Dr Okou Femedein Timipre, has called on the Nigerian Wrestling fraternity to prioritise the future of wrestling in the country by uniting behind the candidacy of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, for President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation.
Dr Okou made the call while speaking to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, on the verge of departing for the United Arab Emirates, where he is expected to deliver a lecture titled “Optimising Physical Training Protocols in the Military: Balancing Readiness with Injury Preventions” at the World Military Sports Science Symposium.
Okou, who is an Associate Professor, noted that CG Adeniyi has proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be the best candidate to lead the Nigeria Wrestling Federation in consolidating the progress of the current board.
“My endorsement of CG Adeniyi is built on expertise, passion, and a deep understanding of wrestling’s intricacies. His leadership will foster a culture of excellence, fairness, and development.
“I call on everyone to unite behind Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, in empowering Nigerian wrestling for a brighter future”, Okou said.
Dr Okou, a respected international wrestling referee, also used the medium to advocate for the urgent review of the referee’s career path in Nigerian wrestling.
The Executive Secretary, International Military Sports Council, Abuja, Nigeria, opined that for Nigeria wrestling referees to gain global relevance and maintain domestic integrity, its electoral cycle must mark a turning point that is merit-based for referee development.
“Referees should be formally embedded in the governance framework. This is not a luxury—it is foundational. Without trained, trusted, and professionally supported referees, the credibility of match outcomes, athlete confidence, and the overall integrity of the sport remain at risk.
“More than ever, the future of Nigerian sports depends on inclusive governance that values every stakeholder—not just those at the top. At present, Nigeria’s wrestling referees ascend the ranks through domestic competitions under a loosely coordinated system. While individual initiatives—such as military-sponsored trips and ad hoc scholarships—have enabled some officials to attend international courses, these efforts lack a standardised, nationwide development plan”, Okou explained.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor OKOU, Femedein Timipre, PhD, a member of the World Military Sports Science Commission, will, aside from delivering a keynote address, be playing several roles at the World Military Sports Science Symposium, such as chairperson of the CISM international symposium 2025 taking place in the United Arab Emirates.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
