By Emma Njoku
President, Veterans Wrestlers of Nigeria, Morris Atula, has solicited the support of the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, in his vision of returning Nigerian wrestling to its glory days.
Atula, who is a frontline candidate for the president of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) in the forthcoming sports federations’ elections, made the request when he paid a special visit to the NSC chairman in his office, on Thursday.
The former Nigeria, Commonwealth and World Wrestling Champion, who recently relocated to Nigeria after four decades in Europe, told Dikko that he has the means and necessary contacts to make Nigerian wrestling one of the best in the world.
“I have the local and international partners ready to contribute to the revival of our wrestling. I have the exposure, passion and contacts to generate and develop the talents begging for exposure. Besides knowing what the Federation needs immediately, I’m certain of sponsorship from abroad, corporate organisations and sports loving individuals. I’m also confident that state governors across the country would appreciate our drive and fully support our programmes,” he told Dikko.
While appreciating the appointment of Dikko and Bukola Olapade as NSC Chairman and Director General, respectively, Atula said the veteran wrestlers were inspired to play key roles in the revival of Nigerian wrestling.
“It’s a case of matching a deep pocket with passion, experience and technocrats. I have worked hard to rule the wrestling world and got lots of experience doing business in different parts of the world. I personally appreciate the outgoing board, hence, the NSC leadership should flag off this positive and bold move to fully develop wrestling,” said the Edo Wrestling Association chairman who also promised a special health care programme alongside regular training and competitions in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).