The president of Nigeria Armwrestling Federation, Engineer Samuel Olatunji Jackson has expressed delight with the country’s conquest of the 1st West Africa Para-Games in Abeokuta as well as with the overall impact achieved by the sport.
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Engineer Jackson told Sports247 in an exclusive interview that it was not just a case of double victory for him and Nigeria, but another major step taken forward overall in the spread of armwrestling across West Africa.
He disclosed, “Nigeria won seven gold, six silver and five bronze medals to emerge winners. We came on top with 127 points, while Benin Republic were second and Ghana are third.
“It was a very heartwarming performance, especially as this is the first of its kind in West Africa. We were also able to achieve this within the very short time in which we had in bringing the athletes together for the Games.”
While affirming his delight with Nigeria’s top placement on the medals table, Jackson acknowledged that it is a confirmation of positives that were gained at their recent championship in Abuja, and he also thanked the organising committee for a job well done.
The amiable armwrestling buff added, “It’s quite overwhelming that we could come out on top. The good thing, though, is that this is a follow-up to what we did in Abuja.
“We were able to build on it, and this is what we came out with. The LOC also did a fantastic job. Though the time was short, they were on top of it, and they knew what they were doing.
“Nigeria is known for that type of excellence, and they did a fantastic job … especially the ceremonial team. The main central organising team also did well for the first West African Para-Games.”
He continued by projecting into the future, with a view that the second edition will be better and enthused that armwrestling should now grow a lot faster across the West Coast of Africa.
Jackson retorted with extra enthusiasm, “We are already looking forward to the second edition, which I know will be bigger and better than this first one.
“As the president of armwrestling in Nigeria and former African president, it’s a great joy that what I dreamt about has come into fruition.
“It’s so good to see that we have a powerful presence in West Africa and that armwrestling became one of the main events at the para-games in Abeokuta.”
Jackson concluded by pointing out that it was another part of Nigeria’s victory that he and other members of the sport’s governing body in the country were able to pass the test of showcasing their organisation and winning capabilities.
“Everyone was waiting to watch us and see what would come out of it. I am happy that it became quite an overwhelming experience.
“It’s good for us that even the LOC commended us for our organisation standards and for the high level of discipline that was seen during each category of our events,” he submitted.
