Daniel Igali says his target is now to see the country produce an Olympic and World Championships gold medallist in the next three years, after Blessing Obourududu won a historic silver medal at the recent Tokyo 2020 Games.
By winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Oborududu became Nigeria’s first-ever medallist in wrestling at the Olympics, since the country’s first participation in the sport in 1980.
Under Igali’s watch, Nigeria has won three World Championships medals (2 bronze and a silver) – a feat achieved by Odunayo Adekuoroye, claimed five Commonwealth Games gold medals and also produced multiple African champions, to mention but a few.
According to the Olympic and World Championships gold medallist, the above achievements were part of a plan to produce champions at all levels, which he believes will climax with an Olympic and World Championships gold medal on or before 2024.
“Over ten years ago, we started the process of developing champions,” the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports disclosed. “And the champions were in different phases; at the African level, at the Commonwealth level and the World level.
“We had achieved all three, but the Olympic level had been lacking. Right now, we’ve gotten to the level where we won an Olympic silver medal. But we are still not there yet because our goal, ultimately, is to win a World Championship gold medal and an Olympic gold medal.
“And I think that is going to be very soon. Our target now is, in 2024, we think we would be able to win an Olympic gold medal. And from now to 2024, our target is to win a World championship gold medal.”
