Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare has described Bayelsa State as the ‘wrestling industry’ of the country following its tradition of producing great talents and champions over the years.

The Minister stated this at the closing ceremony of the just-concluded 1st Gov. Diri National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa – the Bayelsa State capital – on Tuesday.

Last year, Bayelsa –born Blessing Oborududu became the first-ever Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal, grabbing a silver medal in the 68kg class at the Tokyo 2020 Games in Japan.

The 10 time African champion Oborududu followed the footsteps of fellow Bayelsan and Nigeria Wresting Federation (NWF) President Hon. Daniel Igali, who won an Olympic gold medal for Canada at the Sydney 2000 Games, having previously represented Nigeria at different international competitions.

“The wrestling glory of our country Nigeria is planted solidly in Bayelsa State,” the Sports Minister, who was the Special Guest at the event, noted. “We have seen our stars come from the nooks and crannies of this state.

“We have seen this state attract some great talents from across the country, and the Gov. Diri National Classics is a testimony to that fact that Bayelsa State is the wrestling industry for Nigeria.

“I want to thank all the athletes that have taken part in this 5-day event.”

While lauding Bayelsa State Governor Sen. Douye Diri for his continuous investment in wrestling and other sports, Sunday Dare expressed confidence that the champions at the tournament will go ahead to give Nigeria quality representation at the 2022 African Championships in Morocco later this month and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“I’m confident that from here we will select those that will represent us in two weeks’ time at the African Championships in Morocco and also those that will eventually fly our flag at the Commonwealth Games in July,” he said.

“Let me also go on record to appreciate the commitment of His Excellency Governor Diri of Bayelsa State to sports development and in the state and also in Nigeria, especially his investment in wrestling and the hosting of the 1st Gov. Diri National Wrestling Classics. He has followed in the tradition of his predecessors.”

Emeka Dennar

Media Officer

Nigeria Wrestling Federation

+2348035031357

Twitter: @WrestlingNaija

Facebook: Nigeria Wrestling Federation:

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Seldom Dickson won gold in the Clean and Jerk with a lift of 174kg as well as a gold in the Total 309kg while settling for a silver medal in the snatch with a lift of 135kg.

Dickson said he trained hard for the Championship adding that he passed recovered from a slight injury.

The 2014 Commonwealth Bronze medallists said he is focused on returning to the podium at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

He said, “I am excited about winning two gold and 1 silver at the champion of champions and I really thank God for the strength given to me during the championship.

“I promise to put up a good fight at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and every power belongs to God. I will train hard and come back with a gold medal”.

“The Olympic Games is the biggest sporting event in the world; I see myself in Paris 2024. All I am going to do is work on how to increase my body mass to 96kg class”, he added.

FC Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons Face Tricky Away Trips, As Osun Babes And Sunshine Queens Clash in South-west Derby.

NWFL Premiership Week 7 throws up exciting fixtures

After a thrilling round of fixtures in the last outing of the NWFL Premiership, week 7 throws up some more exciting ties as Edo Queens seek a quick return to winning ways, when they face Confluence Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Nasarawa Amazons will take on struggling Ibom Angels at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Osun Babes will be hoping to dust themselves off against Sunshine Queens at the Osogbo City Stadium on Wednesday after losing 2-1 to Rivers Angels in Porthacourt. .

Here is the Week 7 Preview of the NWFL Premiership.

Delta Queens FC Robo Queens (

This fixture in 2019 ended in a draw, which got the late George Emenetie sacked by Delta Queens Chairman, Tony Okowa.

This time around, Delta Queens look more confident, having won all their home games at home this season and even picked a point away from home last week.

Osahon Emmanuel will still be without his influential captain, Gift Monday and Habibat Akinwande, who are both in Turkey with the Super Falcons. Delta Queens are 6th on the log with 10 points, while FC Robo Queens are 3rd on the log, with 12points.

Delta Queens:WLWLWD
FC Robo Queens:WWLWLW

Edo Queens Confluence Queens (Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin)

Edo Queens have provided some of the best entertaining games so far this season and yet again, they will be facing Confluence Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, in a duel, they are so confident of.

The team, under Rollandson Odeh have shown remarkable resilience in most of their games and by contrast, Confluence Queens drew their last game at home and the team seem to be more troubled with the administrative issues ongoing at the club.

Edo Queens WWDDWL.
Confluence Queens DLWLWD

Abia Angels Bayelsa Queens (Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia).

Bayelsa Queens will travel down to Umuahia to face Abia Angels at home on Wednesday. The ‘Angels from the East’ have picked 6 points so far and will be more than determined to play well against league leaders, Bayelsa Queens, who won Edo Queens last week in a difficult contest.

Abia Angels lost at home the last time against Sunshine Queens and their fans will surely be expecting a better results,when the ‘Restoration Ladies’ arrive more because they have lost their last three games in the league.

Abia Angels:WLWLLL
Bayelsa Queens: WWWWLW

Ibom Angels Nasarawa Amazons (Godwill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo)

The ‘Orange Ladies’ have struggled so far in the league and have lost their last three game, which includes a home loss to Rivers Angels.

This game is an important one for them, but Christopher Danjuma and his girls are a tough nut to crack, no wonder Edo Queens found it so hard to get one last them.

Moruf Adeyemo can’t afford to lose this game, same with Christopher Danjuma. It’s going to be a cracker of a game.

Ibom Angels: LDWLLL
Nasarawa Amazons:LLLWLW

Osun Babes Sunshine Queens (Osogbo City Stadium, Osogbo)

The south-west derby between Osun Babes and Sunshine Queens usually ends with a lone goal victory for either sides. The last time this two met in Osogbo, it ended in a stalemate.

The Omoluabi Queens have won all their home games and will want to add more points to their 9 points this season. Sunshine Queens will be without their manager, Wemimo Matthew, who is in Turkey with the Super Falcons. We await a great encounter. .

Osun Babes:WLWLWL
Sunshine Queens: LWLDWW

Pelican Stars Rivers Angels (U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar)

Nobody gave Pelican Stars the chance, when they traveled down to Lagos to record their first win this season against Dreamstar Ladies, they face a tough challenge against Rivers Angels, who haven’t lost a game this season.

Pelican Stars moved away from the relegation zone with that win and wouldn’t want to go back to the drop.

Pelican Stars:LDLLDW
Rivers Angels: DWDWWW

Royal Queens Dreamstar Ladies (Warri Township Stadium, Warri).

Dreamstar Ladies are bottom on the log with just 3 points and would travel to Warri to face Royal Queens in a game the ‘Canadian Geese’ will be aiming to garner after their loss to FC Robo Queens last week.

Dreamstart Ladies will surely give a big fight and will be hopeful to get a favourable result.

Royal Queens:LWLWDL
Dreamstar Ladies:LLLWLL