The two day ‘Battle Ground’ wrestling championship has ended in Lagos with fans applauding Nigeria Professional Wrestling Federation (NPWF) for putting up such an entertaining and world class championship.
Held at Big Apple Royale Hotel, 1/3 Salvation Army Street, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos it drew mats men and women from every part of the country who used their good mastery of the game coupled with acrobatic display and resilience in receiving punishment to entertain the fans as they rooted for more action.
Speaking at the end of the championship, President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, High Chief John Uche explained that they decided to hold the championship at Oke- Afa, a suburb of Lagos State in order to enable Nigerians residing far from the city centres the opportunity to see what Nigerian wrestlers can do as well as correct the misconception that actions seen on wrestling matches are not real but stage managed.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to extend statutory allocation to the Federation to enable it take the game to higher pedestal just as he stated that with adequate funding both from government and corporate organisations, the country will rule the rest of the world in professional wrestling.
” I have said it on several fora that we have wrestlers who can rule the world in the mats man game but we’ve not gotten the financial support needed for them to go beyond Africa and conquer the world.
” There is need for Local, State and Federal Government to take special interest in this sports and invest in it to enable us produce world beaters.
Presently Nigerians are in the WWE doing the country proud and a Nigerian is the national champion in Japan.
” All we want is for the Federal Government to consider giving wrestling statutory allocation from the Federation account which will enable us train youths in the game and make them stay out of drugs, kidnapping, crimes and other social vices for the good of the society”, he stated
The wrestling boss also commended the magnanimity of management of Big Apple Royal Hotel for making their facilities available for the wrestling body throughout the duration of the championship.
In his remarks, General Manager of the hotel, Victor Ekekwe stated that he was overwhelmed with what he saw at the two day event, noting that his organisation being a sports friendly one will always partner with NPWF to popularize the sports.
” I’m really amazed with what I witnessed throughout the duration of the championship. Prior to this time, I had the believe that wrestling is stage managed but seeing these great men and women right here in front of me fighting themselves, my perception for the game changed.
” All our customers really enjoyed themselves, rooting for more action as the fights lasted and I appeal to government at all levels to take special interest in this game, invest in it and I can assure you, we’ll produce many world champions in no distant time”, he stressed.
Meanwhile in some of the fights decided to round up the championship, Mighty Progress recorded a pinfall against De Tiger while old war horse, God’s Gift beat debutant Fredrick Rodrick by pinfall.
In the women fight, Iron Becky and Stylish J continued their rivalry in the ring but both wrestlers were disqualified following the interference in their fight by Alexandra De Queen who came in to support Iron Becky
However, the most entertaining fight of the night which kept fans asking for more action as it lasted was between Captain Dunga and Power Vic.
The fight was action packed and so brutal that at a stage, they took the fight to outside the ring which prompted the referee to disqualify both fighters.
