The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation and Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali has said sports federations in Nigeria need to do better in curbing age-cheating in Nigerian sports.
Speaking exclusively to BCOS’ reporter Tobi Ajewole at the 8th National Youth Games, Igali shared his personal experience with age-cheating, emphasizing the need for collective action where he said: “I have also heard a lot of reports about the age cheating scenario here in Asaba and I have experienced it.
In his words: “I think every federation needs to take a step to curb it. When I heard about wrestling, I did the screening with them and I expelled some wrestlers who came through the back door.”
As part of his commitment to developing young talent, Igali announced that six promising wrestlers from the Youth Games will join a training camp in Bayelsa State in order to attune their eating, training and wrestling habits.
Dr Daniel Igali also hinted that he would not be running for another term as president of the wrestling federation after spending twelve years in the saddle. He said: “Every good thing has to come to an end one day and what we need to do is to look for a very good successor and I don’t think there will be any void in the wrestling federation and I will be fully involved in supporting the new President to ensure that we achieve the desired goals.”
