By: Felix Ikpotor
Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, Nigeria has won the bid to host the 2018 Africa Wrestling Championship.
The announcement was made at the United World Wrestling meeting in Paris at the weekend. Nigeria defeated former host, Tunisia to win the hosting rights for the tournament that is scheduled to take place in February 7th – 11th next year.
Would be recalled that on July 25th-27th, United World Wrestling – Africa boss, Fouad Meskout made a working visit to Nigeria to inspect facilities for the tournament in Port Harcourt and expressed satisfaction at the level of work done and was also thrilled by the passion Nigeria displayed towards the sport.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has promised that all facilities will be in place for the hosting of the African Wrestling Championship in Port Harcourt and during Meskout’s visit, the possibility of building an academy was also discussed.
President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dan Igali who confirmed the victory from Paris, thanked everyone who contributed in ensuring that Nigeria won the hosting right.
‘’This is immense joy for wrestling in Nigeria. For us to considered worthy to host reveals the amount of work we have been doing. Hosting this championship will aid in developing the sport and most importantly, provide sponsorship.’’
About 43 Countries are expected to compete at the tournament and it will be the first time Nigeria will be hosting since 1976.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has congratulated the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the hosting right.
The body in a statement by its Assistant Secretary, Chukwudi Ejimofo noted that words of commitment by the governor during the visit of Meskout played a great role in the city winning the hosting right.
The sportswriters body noted that the hosting will put the state on the map of history as the first West African city to have hosted the tournament.
Rivers SWAN also commended the President of SWAN, Honour Sirawoo for his effort in ensuring that Nigeria gets the hosting right for the tournament.
