The immediate past president of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Honourable Daniel Igali, has pledged to give the body’s new supremo, Bashir Adeniyi total support in taking the grapplers’ sport further than where he left it.
Igali told Sports247 in an exclusive interview that he enjoyed his time as NWF president but decided to follow all regulations instead of seeking an extension once his tenure expired.
Read Also: Michael Olise Won’t Join Liverpool, Arsenal Or Manchester City In 2026, Bayern Munich Insist | Sports247 Nigeria
The gold medalist for Canada at Sydney 2000 Olympics gold and 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester disclosed that he already served 12 years as stipulated in the NWF’s statututes.
He expatiated, “There are statutory limits for federation presidents, and there are well stated terms to follow. For me, it was 12 years, and I think we had modest achievements during my time.
“Since I felt fulfilled, I just had to bow out honourably. However, I hope that Conptrroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, who has succeeded me, will be able to surpass what I did.”
Igali, who is currently the commissioner for sports in Bayelsa State, went on to reveal that he is still a member of the NWF’s executive committee, which he believes should make him easily reachable in aiding the new president with useful advice whenever it is needed.
He added, “The good thing about us is that I’m still in the board, and I’m there to support him. I’m there to give advice when necessary and to see how far we can still push wrestling.
“I know that one of the major militating factors against Nigerian sports in general, and wrestling in particular, is the scarcity of funds. However, I believe the new president knows what to do about it,” Igali stated with optimism.
He concluded with an assurance that Nigeria’s wrestling sector would be better off under the new helmsman, who he believes has what it takes to galvanise the corporate sector and all stakeholders into more involvement in the sport.
“With the CG being there now and the kind of sponsors we have on board, in another six years, once we continue with the plans we already have in place, wrestling will probably become the best sport in Nigeria,” Igali concluded.
, Daniel Igali, has pledged to give the body's new supremo, Bashir Adeniyi){kind=link}