President
of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Hon. Daniel Igali has charged the
country’s wrestlers and coaches to the 12th African Games in Morocco to ‘give
your best efforts’ when hostilities resume in the Northern African Nation.
Igali
gave this charge at the unveiling ceremony of Nigeria’s wrestling team to the
quadrennial multi-sport event which took place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
recently.
A
total of 16 athletes (6 females and 10 males) and 5 coaches, as well as 2
officials, will fly Nigeria’s flag in wrestling at the Games in three styles;
Women Wrestling, Freestyle and Greco Roman, and the Olympic champion believes
their ‘best efforts’ will bring glory to the country.
“My
charge to the athletes and to the coaches is what we practice on the mat – to
go out and give your best effort. You can’t do better than that,” Igali, a
Commissioner Designate in Bayelsa State said. “Nobody can do better than their
best effort on the mat.
“If
an athlete leaves the mat, and feels that they could have done more, they’ve
cheated themselves. And that is our philosophy on the mat and that’s how we
train”.
So,
that is the same echo,that is the same reminder that I will give to the
athletes and also to the coaches who will be by their side, to remind them
constantly to leave everything on the mat.”
Responding
on behalf of the athletes, captain of the men’s team and 5-time African
champion Amas Daniel promised that the wrestlers will give their all in Morocco
to ensure they bring glory back home.
“We
will put in our 100% (effort) when we get to Morocco. And when we go out to
fight, we will give our 100%, believing that our 100% will not bring bronze,
will not bring silver, but will bring gold medals,” Amas promised.
At
the last edition of the African Games in Brazzaville, Congo, 23 Nigerian
wrestlers won 19 medals (9 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals).
The
contingent is expected to depart the shores of Nigeria for Morocco on
Wednesday, 21st August.
