Rivers State Governor Barr Nyesom Wike has promised to make the Governor Wike Wrestling Championships which came to a close in Port Harcourt on Thursday an annual event.
Wike said this during the Closing Ceremony of the seven-day event held at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre in the Garden City of Port Harcourt.
In his address delivered by the Secretary to Rivers State Government Kenneth Kobani, Wike accepted the challenge of the Wrestling Federation President Daniel Igali who had requested the Governor to continue sponsoring the Championships.
Kobani also stressed the importance of the Championships at exhibiting the peace and safety of Rivers State for habitation as portrayed by the peaceful and successful hosting of the Championships.
The competition ended with finals in the Men’s Freestyle category on Thursday with defending champions Bayelsa state expectedly dominating, winning six of the ten final matches.
Bayelsa won with a total of 52 medals comprising of 18 Gold, 18 Silver and 16 Bronze medals while Ondo State placed second with a return of 13 Gold, 4 Silver and 5 Bronze medals and Delta finished in third position with 7 Gold, 9 Silver and 9 Bronze medals.
Hosts Rivers state climbed to fifth position courtesy of Azzazi Court’s Gold in the 74kg to give the state a return of 5 Gold, 4 Silver and 7 Bronze medals.
The closing ceremony was witnessed by eminent personalities including the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye as well as Culture and Tourism, Information Commissioners and other top government functionaries.
The competition has in attendance, twenty five states and twelve wrestling clubs from across the Federation.
MEDALS TABLE (TOP 8)
- Bayelsa State – 18 G – 18 S – 16 B
- Ondo State – 13 G – 4 S – 5 B
- Delta State – 7 G – 9 S – 9 B
- Lagos State – 6 G – 1 S – 3 B
- Rivers – 5 G – 4 S – 7 B
- MFM Wrestling Club – 5 G – 1 S – 2 B
- Cross River – 4 G – 4 S – 5 B
- Nigerian Army – 3 G – 3 S – 3 B
