It is barely few days left to the commencement of the 2017 Africa Wrestling Championships in Marrakech, Morocco and there is serious doubt in the availability of funds for Nigerian athletes participating. Top African countries including South Africa, Egypt and Morocco are expected to participate at the Championship which would hold from April 26 to May 1, 2017. It is reported that about 24 wrestlers who qualified to represent the country following their exploits at the 2nd Governor Seriake Dickson Wrestling Classics held in Bayelsa State are yet to be called into camp and many others are in the dark over their visas. Some of the athletes who pleaded that their names should not be disclosed expressed dismay with the preparations as they are not aware of their travel plans which was meant to be handled by the Federal Ministry of Sports.
However, Secretary of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Ahmed Abdullahi has revealed that funds are expected to be released by the ministry on Monday, while some of the wrestlers are expected to get their visas the same day. “Our preparation for the Africa Championship is on course, we are now planning to do the visa pending the release of money by the ministry to know the number of athletes that will actually be going. I’m even at the Moroccan Embassy now and we were told to bring the passports on Monday but because of the paucity of funds we cannot go with all the contingents. Some of the wrestlers have borrowed money and they will pay for their air tickets and when the money is released on Monday, we can do the visas for some of the athletes who could not get money on their own. So if we cannot get enough funds, then we will only go for the styles that we have strong holds and sure of medals”.
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