Chris Awhawha
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has lauded the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his significant contributions to the development of sports, particularly wrestling in Nigeria
Adeniyi made the commendation during a courtesy visit to Governor Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa on Saturday.
In his address, Adeniyi, who is also a board member of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, emphasized the importance of investing in grassroots sports to build future champions and enhance Nigeria’s competitive edge in international sports events.
“I must commend you, Governor Douye Diri, for your outstanding efforts and visionary leadership in promoting sports, particularly wrestling.
Your investment has set the stage for the country to produce top-tier athletes, and this is an investment not just in sports, but in the future of our youth,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller General further assured that the current board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation is committed to giving wrestling the recognition and platform it deserves.
According to him, the sport will continue to receive necessary attention, and efforts are underway to ensure it gets more visibility and support across the country.
“As a board, we are dedicated to giving wrestling the mileage it deserves. We understand the power of sports in nation-building, and we are committed to making sure wrestling thrives at every level, from the grassroots to international competitions,” he added.
One of the exciting developments in the sporting landscape is the inclusion of wrestling in the upcoming Nigeria University Games (NUGA). Adeniyi confirmed that wrestling would feature as a non-scoring point at the event, a move aimed at encouraging students to participate and develop an interest in the sport without the pressure of immediate competition.
“By including wrestling as a non-scoring event at the Nigeria University Games, we hope to inspire more students to take up the sport, participate in it, and eventually become national and international stars. The key is to create an environment where the youth can discover their talents and develop them without undue pressure,” he explained.
The visit highlighted the strong partnership between the State Government, Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, with the parties determined to elevate the profile of wrestling in the state and beyond.