IKPO IGBINOBA
When Lagos State wrestling coach, Lucky Izekor Osagie speaks of Nigeria’s chances at the upcoming 12th All Games billed for Morocco in August, he does with infectious confidence.
Without mincing words, the coach told P.M. EXPRESS that Nigeria will sweep the wrestling medals in Morocco.
“I am not talking about the overall medals table, I am talking about wrestling. Nigeria will top the medal table in wrestling”, Coach Osagie declared in a chat in Lagos.
History favours Nigeria to dominate the wrestling event but the Lagos coach is not banking on the past.
Rather, he is banking on the quality of wrestlers who survived the fiercely contested trials organised by the Nigeria Wrestling Federation between June 23 and July 1, in the Bayelsa state capital, Yenogoa.
“I know that the records favour Nigeria to dominate wrestling but that is not the reason for my optimism.
“My confidence is anchored on the quality of wrestlers Nigeria will parade at the Games”, he said.
Osagie said with what he witnessed at the trials, “Nigeria will be unstoppable in Morocco. The trials were explosive and the wrestlers who survived are good enough to rule the continent”.
Coach Osagie, an accomplished wrestler whose specialty is the Greco-Roman style will join six other coaches in the Yenogoa camp to prepare the Nigerian team for the Games.
Three of his wrestlers will also be in camp to be part of the final build up to the Games.
They are Adekunle Julius, Samuel Isamah and Rachel Felix. The Lagos coach boasted that his wrestlers won’t only make the final team, but will make a huge impact in Morocco.
He declared “I believe in my wrestlers. They will do the nation proud in Morocco.”