In a landmark development for Nigeria’s sports ecosystem, Arm Wrestling has officially been inducted into the National Sports Festival as a demonstration event, igniting excitement among athletes and sports officials alike.
The event kicked off on Saturday Afternoon at the Alake Sports Centre, Abeokuta, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a transformative journey for the sport in Nigeria.
The National Coach and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Police Arm Wrestling Association, Raphael Nnejioba, expressed profound joy over the sport’s acceptance and potential to significantly enrich the festival.
“Arm wrestling is more than a sport — it’s about unity, social cohesion, and purpose,” Nnejioba told journalists at the venue. “Today we’re showcasing it as a demonstration sport to introduce new athletes and familiarize Nigerians with the discipline.”
Saturday’s induction program featured two seminars: one for athletes and another for coaches and officials. The turnout was impressive, with over 90 athletes already registered across more than 15 states, including Anambra, Enugu, Lagos, Bauchi, Cross River, Rivers, and Delta.
“The level of acceptance has been massive and unexpected,” said Nnejioba. “We’re expecting even more participants as the pulling matches begin in earnest on Sunday,” said Nnejioba after overseeing one of the session.
Structure of the Competition
The demonstration includes two main competitive formats: right-hand and left-hand pulling. Each arm will have seven weight categories for both male and female athletes, resulting in a total of 14 gold medals up for grabs.
“The event will just be for a show and exhibition,” Nnejioba explained. “They won’t be added to the official medal count as it is marking it’s entrance as a demonstration sports in this edition hopefully by the next National Sports Festival the medals will start counting.
Nnejioba emphasized that by the time Arm Wrestling become a medal counting event at the National Sports Festival it will make the the festival to be competitive.
” It’s a medal-pulling sport, with as much as 48 gold medals to be competition the different categories for male and female, this will make the National Sports Festival to be more competitive and dynamic.”
The instructor stated further, that the game has been demonstrated and competed for honours in International competitions including the All-African Games and Africa Championships.
“This is not just the beginning. Arm wrestling has already made its mark internationally. Now, we are bringing that energy home, and the National Olympic Committee and NIgeria Sports Commission can see that this is a sport that holds real potential for Nigeria.”
As athletes brace for the official matches on Sunday, there is growing anticipation that Arm Wrestling will become a permanent fixture in Nigeria’s sports landscape — uniting athletes, elevating medal tallies, and deepening the competitive spirit of the National Sports Festival
