Sports
Dickson To Flag Off Ijaw Wrestling Tourney
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson launched this year’s edition of the Annual Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Competition yesterday.
In a statement by the organising committee of the competition, the event was meant to engage youths of Bayelsa State in an attempt to promote grassroots Ijaw traditional wrestling, culture as well as a talent hunt for the youths of the state.
The Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament, which is an annual event, is in honour of Senator Dickson’s late father, a community leader and great wrestler of his time.
The programme, which commenced with the presentation of trophies in Maitama, Abuja by 12 noon witnessed the presence of Minister, Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, as special guest of honour, while the Chairman of the occasion was Chairman Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, Senator Obinna Ogba.
Also expected at the event as guest of honour was Nigeria’s first female Olympic wrestling medalist, Blessing Oborodudu, who scheduled to be honoured at the event.
Also, the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and Founder, Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation, was the Chief Host of the event.
The event, also featured the unveiling of the icons of Ijaw Wrestling Awards which is an initiative of Senator Dickson in his drive to promote traditional wrestling, a cultural activity that is entrenched in the way of life of the Ijaw people.
”This event will also recognise ‘Heroes of Ijaw Traditional Wrestling’ both home and abroad, living and dead, who will be honoured at the grand finale of the annual wrestling competition in January 2022 in Bayelsa State.
“Members of the Organising Committee of the competition include, SouyeLokoja, Chairman; Are Agberekeme, Secretary; Owu Finidi Owu, representing Bayelsa West; Wilson Sewari for Bayelsa Central and ThankGod Obom, representing Bayelsa East.
Other members of the committee include, Lovely Hitler; a representative of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, while the Technical Adviser is the veteran wrestling Champion, Jackson Bide ably assisted by Victor Kode.
“Due to COVID-19 protocol, the event was strictly by invitation and guests were required to adhere to strict Covid-19 containment protocol.
Meanwhile, this year’s theme for the annual Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament which is promoted by the Ofurumapepe Grassroots Wrestling Initiative is ‘Peace and Youth Empowerment through Sports’.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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