Inaugural Customs CG wrestling championship holds in Abuja

All is set for the maiden edition of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) military/paramilitary wrestling championship scheduled to hold inside the Indoor Sports Hall, package B of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja from Saturday, October 19 to Friday, October 25, 2024.

Briefing the press in Abuja on Friday, President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, while commending the CGC Bashir Adeniyi, for his support towards the development of wrestling in Nigeria, assured that the championship will be serve as a platform where talents who will represent the country in regional, continental and global tournaments are discovered and nurtured to stardom.

Igali, who is also the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, added that the championship will go a long way in promoting good relationship among the military and the paramilitary agencies.

“Today, we stand at the precipice of a new chapter, celebrating the birth of a championship that arises from the warmth, dedication, and benevolence of our esteemed Comptroller General of Customs Service, His Eminence, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. His philanthropic spirit and commitment to uplifting others command our admiration, and I convey our gratitude on behalf of the entire board and the wrestling community of Nigeria”.

“This Championship is not merely an event; it is a manifestation of the Federation’s vision to propagate and enhance the art of wrestling amongst the Armed Forces and Paramilitary Agencies. The introduction of this inaugural championship promises to significantly strengthen the dynamic synergy between military and civilian spheres through the shared values inherent in sportsmanship,” Igali said.

The Customs boss, in his remarks, promises to make the championship a success saying it is the Customs’ way of
giving back to the society through its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Represented by ACG Headquarters, Ibrahim Umar, Adeniyi said the importance of sports cannot be over emphasised as it assists in developing leadership skills and the ability to set and achieve goals.

“Anybody who knows the CGC will know that he is a lover of sports and that is the reason he is making the move to sponsor the championship. The Nigerian Customs Service through the CGC is collaborating with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to sponsor the championship as a way of corporate social responsibility, a way of giving back to the society,” the CGC said.

Chairman, local organising committee (LOC), Brigadier General Olawale Fawole, said preparations have been concluded to have a hitch-free championship.

“We have agreed on the location of the championship; the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja and the approval has been given. The technical team of the Wrestling Federation is fully ready to give the necessary assistance.

“We have conducted inspection on the facilities. The Ministry of Sports is giving us their hostel. All the military and paramilitary are ready to assist with their staff and facility. I can tell you that we are fully ready to have a successful championship”.

Fourteen military and paramilitary agencies will participate in the championship. They are Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Service (DSS), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Others are the Nigeria Customs, Correctional Service, Immigration Service, Fire Service, EFCC and the ICPC.

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