Sports
Enyimba Wrestling Championship Rescheduled For Oct 11
The millennium wrestling championship tagged “The Battle at Enyimba” billed for the Enyimba Stadium yesterday which would have seen African Wrestling Heavyweight sensation, Osita Offor (a.k.a Ultimate Commander) defend his title against Joe Legend of Canada has been postponed.
The championship which would see about 16 world class wrestlers, including South Africa-based, Nigerian-born boxing champion, Kilmanjaro, take Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State by storm, will now hold on October 11, 2009.
Spokesman for The Ultimate Wrestling and Charity Organisation (TUWCO), promoters of the championship, and Nollywood megastar, Zack Orji, said the original date has to be changed to give Ultimate Commander time to recover from injuries he suffered during his recent fight in Scotland.
“As you all know, the Battle at Enyimba was originally scheduled for the 23rd of August, 2009, being yesterday. But because of the closeness between that date and the date of the fight which just held in Scotland and the fact that he (Ultimate Commander) sustained injuries and will need sometime to recuperate, we have had to chose a date in conjunction with the Federation of World Wrestling Professionals (WWP) Thunderstrike in South Africa and finally we have all agreed on the date on which the battle at Enyimba, the clash of the titans, would be held at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.
“In consultation with His Excellency (Governor Theodore Orji), that date has been finalised and we are happy to announce that the Battle at Enyimba will be on the 11th of October, 2009, at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State.” Orji told newsmen in Umuahia at the weekend.
He said the new date would give room for Ultimate Commander to undergo medical treatment as well as prepare adequate for the fight to be able to retain the African Heavyweight Championship crown he is currently holding.
“As you know, his title would be on the line on that day. He is going to defend his title and it is our hope, it is also our confidence that he is going to successfully defend his title on that date. And the title is the WWP African Heavyweight Wrestling Championship Belt and he is going to wrestle Joe Legend of Canada,” Orji added.
Other title fights which would feature Kilmanjaro and no fewer than 16 world class wrestlers would add glamour to the Enyimba “war.”
“Kilmanjaro will also be wrestling on that day. He will also be defending his own title on that day which is All Africa Championship. On that day, during the Battle at Enyimba, there will also be other fights featuring wrestlers under the WWP Thunder strike. There will be about 16 wrestlers coming from different parts of the world.
“WWP is the Number One wrestling federation in Africa and Number Three in the world. They have affiliations within the WWP even in the United States. They will be parading their wrestlers on that date and these wrestlers will be wrestling on that date,” Orji explained.
“We are looking forward to the battle at Enyimba. It is not just about the Ultimate Commander. This is about Abia State; this about Nigeria. If you watched the fight in the UK, the Nigerian flag was hoisted. This means that this man went to the United Kingdom as an ambassador of this country and we are very happy that he made us proud. So this event is one that everybody must contribute something from his position of strength and make sure it is a resounding success,” he appealed.
Also speaking, Ultimate Commander, said he has been bolstered by the support he has gotten from the government and the people to face the forthcoming challenge with determination and hope.
He confirmed that he sustained injuries in his last fight in Scotland which he said was healing fast. “The injury I sustained is gradually leaving because my body is not his home but then the pain is so much on me that I cannot continue this championship at this time. But still I have to do some physical examination by some doctors in America, after which I will still have about two, three weeks to train,” Offor said
“The Battle at Enyimba is going to be a memorable championship. It is going to be a fight that the whole world will stand up for Nigeria and it is going to be another fight that will convince everybody that has been having doubt about wrestling because what we are doing is re-branding wrestling. Those that are not strong enough, they should leave the ring. My kind of fighting is not the type people say has been arranged,” the Abia-born wrestler said.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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