By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Another milestone towards the successful hosting of the African Wrestling Championship will be performed tomorrow (Friday) as the flags of all the African countries will be hoisted in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the venue for the continental event.
It will mark the first time the championship is taking place in West Africa, just as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has put everything in place to ensure a glorious outing.
The chairman of the LOC, Hon Boma Iyaye assured that Port Harcourt was ready to host the rest of Africa, in what he says would be one of the best championships ever organized.
According to him, the hoisting of the flags kick-starts the beginning of the African Wrestling Championship as is tradition across the world, pointing out that the famed welcoming culture of Rivers people would be on display throughout the one-week event.
Iyaye, who is also Rivers Commissioner for Sports, stressed that security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of everybody before, during and after the championship.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will present an unprecedented 90-man team, comprising of 30 cadets, 30 Junior and 30 senior wrestlers to the tournament.
Among those that will lead Nigeria’s quest for glory include World silver medalist and 2014 Commonwealth Champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye; 7-time African Champion, Blessing Oborodudu; Commonwealth Champions Aminat Adeniyi and Ifeoma Nwoye and 5-time African Champion, Amas Daniel.
Officials of the United World Wrestling Africa, wrestlers across the continent and various heads of delegations are expected to arrive Port Harcourt between 5th and 6th of February, while the opening ceremony and championship proper start on Wednesday, February 7th.
