The first batch of Nigeria’s contingent to the 2019 African Senior Wrestling Championships on Thursday arrived Hammamet, Tunisia, venue of the tournament.
The delegation, which was led by President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Hon. Daniel Igali, arrived Tunis at about 11:00hrs local time before proceeding to a 66km road trip to Hammamet.
The delegation comprises of 8-time African champion Blessing Oborududu, Commonwealth gold-medallists Odunayo Adekuoroye and Aminat Adeniyi. Reigning African champions Mercy Genesis, Sunmisola Balogun, Ifeoma Nwoye, Hannah Reuben as well as Rosemary Nweke, Blessing Onyebuchi and Esther Kolawole are also part of the delegation. They are joined by highly-rated female national team head coach Purity Akuh.
The second batch comprising of the men’s team will depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos on Thursday night via a Turkish Airline flight, and are expected to land in Tunis the next day.
African champions Amas Daniel, Agiomor Ekerekeme and Emmanuel John lead the free style wrestlers, with Welson Ebikewenimo, Emmanuel Nworie and Melvin Bibo also part of the squad. They would be travelling in company of NWF Secretary General Almu Lambu, coach Victor Kodei and Dr. Oyinbo Samson.
The female wrestlers are billed to compete on Saturday, March 20th while their male counterparts will take to the mat a day later.
The 2019 African Senior Wrestling Championships which started on March 26, will come to an end on Sunday March 31st.