TheCable

Daniel Igali, president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), says he’s optimistic Team Nigeria will excel at the forthcoming African Wrestling Championship.

About 90 wrestlers expected to represent Nigeria at the tournament have been preparing in separate camps in Akure, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa.

In a statement made available to TheCable, Igali said the team will be ready to do the country proud when the championship starts in February.

“From the reports I’ve received from the coaches and the technical director, It appears the camps have been going on well,” the Olympic gold medalist said.

“I’m in Yenagoa, so, I sometimes make out time to see the female athletes, and I think their training is going on pretty well in Yenagoa.

“I’m sure from all the reports and personal experiences, we are good to go.”

At the last African Championships in Morocco, Nigeria emerged the best female side, winning nine of 10 gold medals.

In order to be successful at the African Championships in Port Harcourt, the NWF boss said, “I think we need to continue with what we are doing.

“This week I think will be a very critical week because we need to start looking at putting finishing touches before the tournament.

“When you are training at this level, the second week to a tournament is a critical week because you need to tie things up. The last week is normally not as serious anymore-it’s a taper week.

“If we continue with this trend, we should do well but putting up a 100% performance is all we need from them. What I’ve always told our athletes is ‘if you give 100% effort in your endeavours on the mat, the results will come’.”

Nigeria is hosting the competition for the first time.