The city of Yenagoa – the Bayelsa State capital – is now bubbling with great excitement and anticipation ahead of the 3rd Gov. Dickson National Wrestling Classics.
The tournament, which will be staged at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium between 15th and 30th June, will have in attendance around 600 athletes and officials from no fewer than 20 states and 16 wrestling clubs in Nigeria, who have already registered for the competition.
Apart from being crowned National champions, athletes who excel at the 3rd Gov. Dickson Classics will represent Nigeria at the 12th All-Africa Games in Morocco, as well as the 2019 World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan in September.
Highlighting the importance of the 3rd Gov. Dickson Classics, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Hon. Daniel Igali also called on the athletes, officials, journalists, and fans to come out en masse to make the competition a huge success.
“This championship has added relevance because of the Olympics coming up next year,” the Olympic Champion said. “As a result, we are expecting very high level of participation and competition at this tournament.
“I’m calling on all interested stakeholders and journalists to come out in droves to watch this tournament.
“I’m appealing to the athletes to put up their top performances because this could change their lives, especially if you make the national team and go on to make the Olympic team. Becoming an Olympian is probably one of the main things for an athlete to achieve. And I’m wishing everybody the best of luck.”
Virtually all of Nigeria’s elite wrestlers, including reigning Commonwealth Champions Odunayo Adekuoroye, Blessing Oborududu, and Aminat Adeniyi, are expected to compete at the 3rd Gov. Dickson National Classics.
