Sports
Wrestling In Need Of Govt’s Intervention
The Secretary of the
Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA), Olusesan Olukoya, has appealed to governments and the private sector organisations to assist in revamping professional wrestling in the country.
Olukoya told newsmen in Lagos that it was only through adequate support that professional wrestling could return to the limelight.
The secretary said the sport used to have large following in the 80’s and early 90’s but its popularity had since waned over the years because of a lack of sponsorship.
“In the past, I remember how people used to throng the National Stadium, Lagos to watch live wrestling matches.
“What was obtainable then in wrestling has disminished and we believe that it can be revived to regain its lost glory if provided adequate attention and support<“ he said.
On PWA’s effort at promoting the spot, the secretary said the body planned to collaborate with some counties within the African continent to revolutionise professional wrestling.
Olukoya said that a maiden PWA championship, which would feature wrestlers in the continent would hold on September 19, in Yaonunde, the Cameroons.
He, however, called n Nigerians to support the country’s heavyweight champion, Peace Ikpide, who has his ring name as, “Power Lee”, in his quest to conquer the continent.
‘Power Lee’ would battle Cameroonian Michel Noudem, aka, “Le Matraqueur’ for the Africa title.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
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