One of Nigeria’s most successful Amateur and Professional Wrestler, Morris Atula says the time for Nigerians to fully celebrate sporting success has come. 

The former Nigeria, Commonwealth and World Wrestling Champion made the declaration as he paid a courtesy visit to Director General (DG) of the National Sports Commission (NSC) during the week. 

Both prominent Nigerians were in ecstatic mood including combat sports demonstration at the office located inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Atula who relocated to Nigeria last Sunday after four decades in Europe visited Olapade with his wife and daughter. 

The ever lively Atula congratulated Olapade over his appointment as DG of the NSC while also hailing appointment of Malam Shehu Dikko as Chairman of NSC.

“I can’t stop thanking president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Technocrats like Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olapade to administer Nigerian sports , the signs of better days for Nigerian sports are getting clearer with positive policies and programmes being rolled out by the duo. I’m looking forward to contributing my quota, particularly in reviving, Nigerian wrestling. I’m praying stakeholders to fully back my target of being the next president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation. I have a master plan that would make Nigeria become the best wrestling nation in the world. It’s about adequate training, talent discovery/nurturing and regular competitions all over the 36 states of the nation, not forgetting the FCT of Abuja.

Technocrats and veterans would play key roles in the revival of wrestling in Nigeria”, said Atula with a whiff of optimism. 

Olapade expressed happiness over Atula’s visit to his office and readiness to be part of effort to revive Nigerian Sports

by Ijeoma Chigbu

Former Nigerian , Commonwealth and World Wrestling Champion, Morris Atula says he has fully returned home after about forty years stay in Europe with bold intent of reviving the sport in the country.

Atula, Former Chairman of Edo State Wrestling Association said on arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja that he is inspired by the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and presence of technocrats like Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olapade as Chairman and Director General of the NSC .

He stated that he has fully returned home to partake in nation building directly and commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Technocrats to run the NSC adding that he has a key role to play if elected as the next president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.

“I’m tested and trusted having wrestled all over the World. I’m a technocrate with varst experience garnered as amateur and professional wrestler. I have been a successful coach beside being a sound administrator. I will work with key stakeholders to make Nigeria be among best wrestling nations ,as it were when late Mike Bamidele was our coach.

Morris Atula stressed that he will work with Veterans and technocrats in reviving Wrestling in Nigeria and ensure massive sponsorship drive to boost regular training and championships in all the 36 States of the federation and  the FCT

“There would be further training opportunities too for coaches towards impacting more on Wrestlers and my board will put more programmes in place for effective grassroot development”. He said 

Chairman Lagos boxing Hall of fame Olawale Edun has praised the performance of boxers who emerge champions of the annual Lagos governors belt tournament. Edun said the quality of boxers who come through the governors belt have displayed nothing but top class boxing

The renowned monthly Saturday Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) had undergone a rebranding, expanding its scope to include Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) alongside its traditional boxing tournaments. ” We are indeed very excited and proud of the performance of boxers who have over the years won the governors belt.

“Thats why the Hall of fame championship is consistent in availing the pugilists a platform to excell in their chosen career . We are grateful about the support we are getting but we need more people to come on board to discover more young boxers who will become worthy ambassadors for Nigeria ” He said

Oyebamiji Oluwasegun won the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt – Hall of Fame (HOF) 139 on December 26th (Boxing Day) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Oyebamiji Quadri “Ekete” Oluwasegun defeated Qudus Lateef by a split decision in their 3 rounds Bantamweight (54KG) bouts, to claim the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt title and a cheque of five hundred Thousands Naira (#500k).

The tournament featured 13 heart-pounding boxing matches across various weight categories for both male and female fighters. Each athlete stepped into the ring with a fierce determination to claim victory and etch their names in the annals of combat sports history. In the 48kg male category, Abijuwon Farouq showcased his exceptional skills, decisively defeating Bolarinwa Micheal after three intense rounds. Abdulahi Robiu also shone brightly in the 60kg male category, exhibiting remarkable pace and precision to secure his win,