Igali to sponsor wrestling classic

Abakaliki: Daniel Igali has announced that he would sponsor a national wrestling championship, which he named ``Daniel Igali Wrestling Classic'' in December in Yenagoa.

Igali, who won gold medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, told newsmen at the Sam Egwu National Wrestling Championships in Abakaliki that the top five in each of the categories in the ongoing championship would qualify to
participate in the event.

``The Sam Egwu championship will form the basis for selection of wrestlers for the classic. The wrestlers will be made to play a round robin game so as to determine the real champions of Nigeria in wrestling.'' He said it would be his own contribution toward the development of wrestling sport in the country.

``Wrestling made me what I am. I, therefore, think it will not be out place to support the sport that made me.''

He praised the introduction of the cadet categories in the 30 to 35kg, newly introduced by the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF).

``It shows that the board is forward looking, they are planning for those to take over from the aging ones. ``It is one of the sports that needs to be introduced at an early stage in the lives of the younger ones.``With the enthusiasm shown by these lads, the sky will be their limit if the efforts are sustained,'' he said.