The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) says the country’s chances of clinching wrestling medals at the 2024 Olympic Games remain high in view of the high level of preparedness and technical prowess of Nigerian wrestling coaches and referees.

NOC expressed the optimism at the just concluded level 3 Olympic Technical course it organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) to build the capacity of wrestling coaches and referees.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the course Wednesday night in Yenagoa, Mr Habu Ahmed Gumel, President, Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), said NOC is pleased to organise the course, adding that wrestling will offer the best opportunity for Nigeria to be proud.

Represented by Mr Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer, NOC, Gumel said the elusive Olympic Wrestling medal can come to the country following the kind of strong representation at the course.

"They have done well recently from their performances in winning many championships. They deserve to have the course in order to raise the level of the coaches and referees," he said.

According to him, with this training, nothing can hold Nigerian wrestlers back from winning accolades in international competitions, including the Olympic Games and world championships.

Mr Daniel Igali, President, Nigerian Wrestling Federation, said that the level 3 coaching course from the IOC, in conjunction with the international wrestling federation, United world wrestling and the NOC in Nigeria, was able to put it together for the Nigerian wrestling federation.

“This for me is very massive because you are as good as your support staff in wrestling and in a lot of sports.

“I am glad that we have accredited level 3 coaches in Nigeria now, which means the level of instruction is going to be a lot higher.

“With this, hopefully we are heading towards the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the wrestling federation will be better prepared even more than we were last time,” he said.

Mr Zac Dominguez, a US-based instructor expressed satisfaction with the Nigerian Wrestling Federation for staging Olympic technical course for coaches and referees in Nigeria.

He said with the attitude of the coaches towards improving their technical skills, game strategy, injury prevention, and player development, they are fantastic in their learning process.

“For me, all the people are fantastic in their learning, and I expect that soon they will be great coaches.

“They have imbibed all the information and are ready to ensure that there will be Olympic medals hope soon.

“Wrestling is like a marathon. It is open and is always going to be a journey, they must keep learning and studying, we also created a chat platform to ensure we discuss so they will grow more in just a few months,” he said.

According to him, the reception of the coaches/referees have been impressive with the aim of improving their coaching and strategies for the next generation of talented players.

“The officials were eager to learn and they are doing a fantastic job, I know you can’t see it but I can tell you that they’ve poured their heart out to being coaches.”

On his part, Ahmed Khedhri, a Tunisian instructor, said he is impressed with the Nigerian coaches and athletes, saying Nigeria will soon set on the path of producing Olympic and World champions.

Mrs Oyinbrakemi Tangi, Female Head Coach in Bayelsa, commended the organizers of the training course.

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