By Ifeanyi Eduzor, Cotonou
Benin Republic Pro- Wrestling Federation ( FEBECATCH) said they have what it takes to make professional wrestling have a foothold in the country just as they expressed happiness that the country has joined the league of African countries where the mats man game is practiced
They stated this at the opening ceremony of a two training programme for West African fighters being hosted by the country.
Declaring the event open the President
of FEBECATCH, Oke Ezechiel who spoke through Mr. Cojjovi Francis noted that they’re happy that the training programme is coming at a time their athletes are fully ready to embrace the sports; saying the country will not be found wanting in propagating the gospel of the sports in the West African sub- region just as he commended Pro- Wrestling Africa and Allied Independent Wrestling Federation for partnering with them towards having the sports planted in the country.
” We’re really excited with this programme to be handled by experienced resource persons and we have no doubt that at the end of the training programme, our athletes will be more acquainted with the roles and technicalities involved in the sports.
“It’s equally important that I commend the Secretary General of Pro-Wrestling Africa Olusesan Olukoya and the Allied Independent Wrestling Federation for their efforts in seeing that Benin Republic joins the rest of African professional wrestling club and we pledge to do our best in sustaining the momentum because we have many young men and women desperate to embrace the game and be one champions in it.
Also, the 1st vice president Wanvoegbe Germain and the Secretary, Bissi Mohinou all expressed happiness with the training which they hope will help in popularizing the sports in their country
In his remarks, Secretary General of Pro-Wrestling Africa Olusesan Olukoya, noted that the training is part of the Federation’s efforts at ensuring that the sports gets to many countries in the continent.
He promised the participants that they have a lot to gain from the sports, reminding them that with the programme, the international body had already included Benin Republic in the world map of wrestling and that they’ll continue to get the Federation’s support in their efforts at taking the sports from in their country from infancy to maturity.
” I’m happy that Benin Republic had finally joined the league of professional wrestling in Africa. Before this time, we had professional wrestling in four African countries namely; Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo. And just recently the sports gained a foothold in Ghana, Togo and now Benin Republic and we’ll continue to support you to grow the sports”, he assured.
Olukoya however advised the country to seek the support of their government in developing the sports especially in the area of procurement of wrestling ring which will a long way in helping in the training of athletes.
” As we embark on this journey today, I want to urge you to get your government and corporate organisations in Benin Republic involved in what ever your doing. You have to do this because professional wrestling is capital intensive and they can help you to procure wrestling ring and other logistics needed for the sports to move forward”, he stressed.
There was also question and answer series which afforded the participants opportunity to ask questions bordering them about the sports.
Highlight of Day 1 was a training session organised by veteran Coach Samuel Omare Omene Johnson known around the pro wrestling world as Jimmy Palm “De African Dream assisted by Samson “De Miser” from Ghana and Alexander De Queen amongst others including two officials from Togolese Wrestling Federation, LOMOU Kéméabalo and OURO-TAGBA samoudini
