NAWF names 4 for Olympics qualifier

Niyi Alebiosu, Lagos - 12.05.2008

The Nigerian Amateur Wrestling federation (NAWF) has released the names of wrestlers for the Edmonton, Canada, Olympics qualifying championship.

The wrestlers for the Olympic qualifier holding between May 14 and 15, according to the federation president, Chief Austin Edeze are Lovina Odoyi (55kg), Amarachi Obiajunwa (72kg), Hellen Okwus (59kg) in the female category and Enetimi Joel (74kg) in the male event.

Edeze, while speaking with Tribunesports at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) secretary within the National Stadium, Lagos, informed that about 15 wrestlers were invited to camp in Abakaliki out of which the suitable four were picked and that they had been training under the watchful eyes of three coaches and supervised by Dr Daniel Yali, a former world champion.

According to the NAWF president, the wrestlers are in top form for the Olympic qualifier, saying that he has absolute confident in them that they will pick the tickets while in Canada.

The Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, who praised the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its supports to the wrestlers and the federation, informed that the wrestlers would remain in Canada for their camping exercise ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

“After the Olympic qualifier, the wrestlers will move from Edmonton to Vancouver, also in Canada, for their camping exercise as approved by the NSC and this I will appreciate because when they failed in their responsibilities, we blame them and now that they are living above board, we have to appreciate them as well,” Edeze informed.