The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Hon. Daniel Igali, is very assertive that team Nigeria can win as much as 10 Gold medals at the forthcoming 12th Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco, scheduled to run from August 19, to August 31, 2019.
Igali, who is a World and Olympic champion, has called for early preparations for Nigeria’s representatives at the continental event, as this would go a long way to place the team at a vantage point when the games kick off.
It was a fight against all odds for Igali, who led team Nigeria to the 2019 Africa Senior Wrestling Championships in Hammamet, Tunisia, after a series of logistic challenges all-but grounded the Nigeria wrestling team.
At the 2019 ASWC, team Nigeria won a total of 13 medals including six gold, two silver and five bronze medals, with the female contingents voted the best at the tournament.
Speaking to newsmen, the Bayelsa State lawmaker said plans have to be set in motion for the team to begin training towards the continental championship.
“From what I saw at the African Championships, the females have the capacity to win between seven and eight gold medals. If we prepare from now, I can almost guarantee that we will win about seven and eight gold medals with the women alone.
“I also see the possibility of winning about four gold medals in the men, that takes us to over 10 gold medals which is about our target for this Games.
“…if we start our preparation in terms of the physical training now, and then we go to the specifics in June, and tipper off in July, then, by August I think we will be fine to go and do the country proud.” — Daniel Igali
Nigeria won the wrestling event at the 2015 Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo, claiming 19 (9 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze) medals in total at the competition.
Featured image source: Vanguard Nigeria
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