THE Nigeria Wrestling Supporters Club (NWSC) on Wednesday added glamour and colour to the Africa Wrestling Championships holding at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civil Centre, Port Harcourt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 70 members of the club comprising men and women stormed the venue of the competition.

They were all dressed in different costumes made out in the country’s national colours while singing, drumming and dancing.

Richard Torugbene, the president NWSC, told NAN that they were on ground to cheer Team Nigeria all through the competition.

“Our mission here is sing and drum to boost Team Nigeria’s morale on the mat. Our drumming is significantly synonymous to wrestling events.

“Team Nigeria are conversant with the drumming and what it means. It will calm their nerves while on the mat fighting their bouts.

“We will also be showing Nigeria’s rich culture and portray Nigeria’s image better to the countries present for the competition,’’ he said.

He, however, appealed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support the association.

“We’ve been in existence for over five years now and the Nigeria Wrestling Federation is aware of this.

“The president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has been very supportive.

“Igali personally funded our trip down here to support Team Nigeria. Many of our members are from Bayelsa and Port Harcourt.

“We want a situation whereby our members will accompany wrestlers to tournaments like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

“Our attendance with these wrestlers will help them perform better and even showcase Nigeria’s loving spirit to the world at large,” Torugbene said.

NAN reports that 90 wrestlers made up of male and female athletes are representing Nigeria at the competition.

No fewer than 15 countries are already on ground while more are still expected.

On ground are Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, Kenya, Burundi, Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Central Africa Republic and Madagascar. (NAN)

– Feb. 7, 2018 @ 19:35 GMT |