MORRIS ATULA PLEDGES VETERANS’ REVIVAL OF NIGERIAN WRESTLING
President of Veteran wrestlers Association of Nigeria, Chief Morris Atula has reassured that the Association would spearhead efforts to make Nigeria one of the best Wrestling nations in the world.
Atula who had long declared his readiness to be the next President of the Nigerian Wresting Federation said veteran Wrestlers have resolved to work with top officials of the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders towards ensuring that quality young Nigerian Wrestlers are discovered in the next dispensation.
The Edo State Wrestling Association Chairman who recently relocated to Nigeria after over three decades in Europe said veteran wrestlers Association of Nigeria have began moves to organize zonal wrestling championships in the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“We have been in talks with the Enugu and Plateau state Governments to support veterans’ resolve to boost Nigerian wrestling. It would be so when we fully conclude our strategies”, began Atula who commended efforts of Nigerian Wrestlers at the just ended African Wrestling Championship in Morocco.
According to the former Nigeria, Commonwealth and World wrestling Champion, Nigeria’s dominance should go beyond Africa.
“Veteran wrestlers Association of Nigeria quite appreciate effort of the outgoing Nigeria Wrestling Federation board led by Hon. Daniel Igali. Now veterans who are key stakeholders and technocrats want Nigeria to truly rule the world as it were in our time. Better days are here.
“The present leadership of the National Sports Commission featuring technocrats like Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman, and Hon. Bukola Olapade, Director General have challenged veterans to unitedly support effort to discover and nurture world beaters.
After the South-East Zonal Wrestling Championship in Enugu and the one in Jos, we shall organize more in other geopolitical zones. We shall also be ensuring better training and welfare Packages for wrestlers and Coaches. Veterans would seek and get corporate support towards providing facilities, training and exposing wrestlers nationally and internationally”, he said confidently.
Atula concluded that several veterans would closely monitor the 22nd National Sports festival, (Gateway 2024) starting next weekend towards Identifying talents and confirming other areas that would bring speedy development of Nigerian Wrestling.
He admonished that he and other veterans would want every host of the games to use the opportunity to improve sporting facilities while all states should endeavor to boost welfare of athletes and coaches regularly.
