No School Wrestling Championship in Past 20 Years Under Igali – Atula

Morris Atula

Morris Atula, one of the leading contenders for the position of National President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), has stated that during the 20 years that the outgoing National President, Hon. Daniel Igali, has overseen the sport, there has been no Zonal, School, or Inter-state Challenge Wrestling competition.

Hon. Daniel Igali

Mr. Atula made this claim in response to a statement attributed to Igali.

“The truth is, in the 20 years since Igali took charge of wrestling in Nigeria, there has been no Zonal Championship, no School Championship, nor any Inter-state Challenge Wrestling contest.

Please ask Igali to show us a program of activities he has implemented to promote wrestling across Nigeria during this period—beyond hosting events in one region, a few states in the South-South, and Bayelsa State in particular,” he stated.

Atula further maintained that his knowledge of the sport, including its rules, far surpasses that of Igali’s preferred candidate.

“There is no comparison between my understanding of wrestling rules and governance and that of his chosen candidate, who has no clue about the sport and has never participated at any level,” he stated.

He added that those around him are Nigerian wrestling heroes,former Olympians, current state coaches, champions, and past and present wrestlers who have won international awards for Nigeria highlighting their value to the development of wrestling in the country.

Mr. Atula also pointed to his own achievements and track record as evidence of his qualifications.

“I am among the first top ten individuals to have established wrestling in Nigeria. I competed in various National Sports Festivals and was invited to several national training camps. I founded wrestling in Niger State and coached the state team for several years before turning professional in the USA, where I won the World Light Heavyweight Wrestling Championship title.

Igali hadn’t even started wrestling when I left Nigeria. Let him ask his coach about my records,” he challenged.

He emphasized that pedigree should be judged by accomplishments.

“I founded the London Multi Sports Academy UK and the Modern Learning Academy UK. I am also President of the Veteran Wrestlers Association and have served as Chairman of both the Edo State Wrestling Association and the Kogi State Wrestling Association.”he added.

Atula revealed that his disagreement with Igali began when he advised the inclusion of cash prizes for winners during a National Championship sponsored by the Bayelsa Governor.

He expressed hope that the federation election would be conducted on a level playing field and that the best candidate would win.

It will be recalled that Hon. Daniel Igali had earlier stated that he would not support Mr. Atula’s candidacy, claiming:”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.”