The Nigeria Armwrestling Federation (NWF) on Monday said that five instead of 15 armwrestlers would represent Nigeria at the 37th World Armwrestling Championships, scheduled to begin in Malaysia on September 30 and end on October 4.
NAWF President, Olatunji Jackson, who is already in Kuala Lumpur, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the five wrestlers were fully sponsored by members of the board.
Jackson said the five selected armwrestlers were due to leave Nigeria for Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
The president said that the reduction was due to a lack of sponsorship by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
He said that the federation had initially planned to register 15 armwrestlers for the event but that complaints of a lack of funds by the commission forced the board members to fund the registration of five.
“We initially proposed taking 15 armwrestlers to participate in 10 weight categories at the event; unfortunately the commission said it could not raise money for the federation.
“The commission said it had just returned from the last 11th African Games in Brazzaville, Congo and that at present was short of funds.
“So we’re forced to raise funds among members of the board to sponsor five, instead of 15 we initially proposed.”
He said the five armwrestlers were two males and three females.
Jackson named the males as Ifeanyi Jibunoh and Muyiwa Osideko and the females as Adenike Taiwo, Olayinka Lawson and Mariah Omonehin.
He said the athletes would feature in 60kg, 65kg, 70kg male and female and 100kg weight categories.
The president said that the federation tried its best to register the 15 armwrestlers but was unable to raise enough funds.
“We did not want the hope of the other armwrestlers dashed. The federation was registered just last year and this is our first international outing.
“However, we are going to put in our best at the event for a good outing.”
He advised wrestlers that could not make it to Malaysia not to be dampened by the development.
“The unregistered armwrestlers should look beyond this and look forward to other upcoming competitions. I want them not to relent in their training.
“We are just starting and there are still a lot ahead for the wrestlers.” (NAN)
•Photo shows Armwrestlers
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