Okota agog for wrestling extravaganza

By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Okota, a suburb of Lagos State will be agog on Saturday, July 30 as wrestlers from various states of the Federation converge in the area for a wrestling championship tagged ‘ Explosive Tussle’.
The event being put together by the Golden Wrestling Association according to President of Nigeria ( Pro) Wrestling Federation Chief John Onyebuchi U he will hold at Meals and Events Center, Church Bus Stop, opposite Atinuke Plaza, Okota Road Came Bus Stop Lagos even as he explained that it is part of efforts to take the game to the rural communities to enable youths get more interest in the sports as well as encourage corporate Organizations to see the need to partner with the Federation and further develop the mats man game.
He listed some of the wrestlers that will be in action to include; Strong Bone Erukujeje, Mr. Sharpman, Squizzer, Flying Danko and, Great Mosendo.
Others are, Super Rosco, Philip Tiger, Power Vic, Zion Lion, Captain Duncan, Mighty Progress, Misterio 619, Rasman Iron, Stylish J and Iron Lady Becky.
” You’ re aware that for sometime now, a lot of people no longer go to The National Stadium for sporting activities and that’s why we’re taking the fight to the suburb to encourage interested youths to take to the sport which in the past put Nigeria’s name in the world sports calendar through the exploits of late former world champion, Power Mike, John Bamidele, Ben Lion Heart and Super Armstrong amongsts others and after this, we intend to take fights to other rural communities and semi- urban areas”, he assured.
Chief Uche further explained that the remaing part of this year will be a very busy one for Nigerian wrestling starting with an international championship in October to celebrate the country’s indepence followed by another tournament in December to round up the year while there will be an international championship in January next year which will attract the best mats men from such countries as USA, Pakistan, South Africa, Cameron and Angola who have all indicated interest to be part of the show.
The wrestling boss while appealing to corporate organizations for financial assistance to enable the Federation carry out its numerous activities also spoke on the need for the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare to rescind his decision of handing over training arena at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos to National Institute For Sports ( NIS) saying; such a decision is adversely affecting the development of wrestling.
” Its quite unfortunate the the Sports Minister dislodged wrestlers by handing over their training ground to the NIS who now locked up the place. The argument by the Minister for taking such an unpopular decision that the NIS will be turned to a university and as such need more space is unteanable because a university cannot be established in a stadium. They should rather look for virgin land elsewhere and develop it and that’s why that his decision must be reversed in the interest of sports development”, he concluded.