Atụla Decries NWF’s Failure to Organize School Wrestling Championship in Over 20Yrs

By Ikemefuna Asika

Top contender to the National President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Mr. Morris Atula has expressed dissatisfaction with the failure of the outgoing National President, Hon. Daniel Igali to organize Zonal, School or Inter-state challenge Wrestling Championships in the last 20 years of his reign..

Atụla stated this in his response to a statement credited to Igali. “The truth is that since the past 20 years Igali took charge of Wrestling in Nigeria, there has not been Zonal Championship nor School championship nor Inter-state challenge Wrestling contest.

“Please ask Igali to show us programme of activities he has done to promote Wrestling across Nigeria during this period? Apart from hosting Wrestling in one region, few states in the South South, and Bayelsa state in particular” he stated.

He maintained that his knowledge of the sport including rules cannot be matched by Igali’s favoured candidate.

“There is no Comparison in my knowledge of Wrestling rules and how the Wrestling is currently governed to his choice candidate who don’t have a clue about the sport at all. Who never participated in the sport at any level”.

According to him, those Igali worked with are Nigeria Wrestling heroes, former Olympians, current state coaches, Wrestling Champions, past and present wrestlers that have won international awards for Nigeria in Wrestling, stressing that they are assets to Nigeria Wrestling development.

Mr. Atula also pointed out that his achievements and track record speaks volumes.

“Am among the first top ten people that stated Wrestling in Nigeria. I Wrestled in various National Sports Festival in Nigeria, been invited to several National camps. Established Wrestling in Niger State, coached the state team for several years before turning professional Wrestle in the USA where I won the World Light heavy Weight Wrestling Championship Title.

“Igali hasn’t started Wrestling when I left Nigeria. Let Igali ask his coach about my records” he said.

He pointed out that pedigree can be assessed by accomplishment.

” I established London Multi Sports Academy UK, Modern learning Academy UK and President Veteran Wrestlers Association,
Chairman Edo State Wrestling Association and Chairman kogi State Wrestling Association”.

He pointed out the disagreement between himself and Igali was when he advised him to include cash price for winners during the National championship sponsored by the Bayelsa Governor.

He hopes that the federation election is conducted on a level playing ground and let the best candidate win.

It will be recalled that Hon. Daniel Igali had earlier stated that he will not support the candidature of Mr. Atula because he lacks knowledge of modern wrestling.

“Let me be very clear: I will not support him. He lacks any real knowledge of modern wrestling, of the rules, or of how the sport is currently governed. He has chosen to surround himself with individuals who can neither guide him nor help him, and in doing so, he has only attracted enemies to himself”.