The Comptroller-General of Customs and the President Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged Nigeria’s wrestlers to make the country proud and return home with medals as they prepare for the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, scheduled for May 2026.
CGC Adeniyi, gave the charge on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, when he hosted athletes, coaches and officials of the federation at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja, ahead of their departure for the continental tournament.
Addressing the athletes, the NWF President said qualifying to represent Nigeria at the championship was both a privilege and a serious responsibility.
“I congratulate you all for earning this opportunity. Many other athletes would love to be in your position. Representing the national flag at a continental championship is a great responsibility and obligation placed on your shoulders,” CGC Adeniyi said.
He reminded the wrestlers that they were no longer competing as individuals from their respective states, but as ambassadors of Nigeria, adding, “You are no longer representing Bayelsa, Ondo, Lagos or any other state. You are now ambassadors of the green-white-green. That is something we treasure deeply.”
The NWF President urged the team to be driven by the pride of hearing the Nigerian national anthem during medal presentations, expressing, “I want that thought to motivate you from the moment you step on Egyptian soil. Make a personal commitment that you are returning on that aircraft with medals.”
He said success at such tournaments would require discipline, strategy, commitment and determination, noting that the technical crew had worked hard to prepare the athletes during camp.
He added, “There is a journey between stepping onto the mat and leaving with a medal. It takes effort, energy, discipline and commitment. I believe your coaches have tried to instill these values in you.”
CGC Adeniyi disclosed that despite limited resources, the federation ensured that camping was organised because of its importance to the team’s preparation.
“When the proposal for camping came, resources were tight, but I knew how important it was. That was why we made every effort to make it happen,” Adeniyi stated.
He assured the athletes that the federation would continue to prioritise their welfare and motivation, adding, “We leave the responsibility of performing well in your hands, while the federation will take care of your welfare and motivation. I assure you, we will not let you down.”
The NWF President also urged the wrestlers to seize the opportunity to attract national recognition through outstanding performance, stressing, “This is your chance to write your names in gold. It does not come all the time, but when it comes, you must make the best use of it.”
Appreciating the female athletes, CGC Adeniyi noted that Nigeria’s female wrestlers were defending champions and challenged the men’s team to rise to the occasion.
He stated, “Our women are already champions. It is difficult to get to the top, but harder to remain there. For the men, this is another opportunity to show that Nigeria belongs at the top of African wrestling.”
It would be recalled that Nigeria has maintained strong dominance in African wrestling in recent years, with the women’s team finishing top at several continental championships, including previoustory editions in Hammamet, Tunisia, and Casablanca, Morocco.
Head coach, Akuh Purity, commended CGC Adeniyi for his unwavering support and commitment to raising the morale of the athletes, saying, “We want to assure him of our full commitment to represent Nigeria very well. We are not just going there to maintain our position; we are going there to come back victorious,” Purity said.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Hannah Reuben and Ulabo Solomon thanked the federation for the support and promised that the wrestlers would justify the confidence reposed in them.
“We appreciate the encouragement and the support we have received. We know the task ahead, and we are ready to fight for Nigeria. We will do our best to return with honours. We know what is expected of us. We are going there with determination and focus. We want to make Nigerians proud and show that we can compete with the best in Africa.”
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