The Bayelsa State Government, through its Ministry of Sports Development, rolled out the red carpet to celebrate its homegrown wrestlers who starred for Team Nigeria at the just-concluded 2025 African Senior Wrestling Championship in Casablanca, Morocco.
Team Nigeria returned from the continental showdown with 13 medals—a dazzling haul of 10 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze—with Bayelsa-born wrestlers leading the charge.
Among the golden performers were Hannah Reuben, Mercy Genesis, Ebipatei Mughenbofa, Ebi Biogos, and Stephen Izolo, all proudly hailing from Bayelsa. Ebikeme Newlife and Ebierelayefa Andrew added a silver and bronze respectively to the team’s medal tally.
In recognition of their outstanding achievements, Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, a former Olympic champion himself, hosted the athletes in his office in Yenagoa on behalf of Governor Douye Diri. He described the reception as a gesture of appreciation for the honor and pride the athletes brought to both the state and the nation.
Igali announced cash rewards of ₦200,000 each for gold medalists, and ₦100,000 each for silver and bronze winners, extending the same ₦100,000 reward to their coaches as a show of appreciation for their critical support behind the scenes.
“I really want to applaud our athletes for the remarkable performance they put up at the African Wrestling Championships in Morocco,” Igali said. “And of course, you can’t achieve this level of success without the tireless work of our coaches. I especially commend Coach Akuh Purity, our Cuban coach, and all our local coaching staff.”
He further acknowledged the support of the National Sports Commission under Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, and praised the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, for his consistent support to the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.
Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, also lauded the wrestlers, stating that their victories reflected the result of sustained investments in sports by the current administration under Governor Diri and Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Speaking on behalf of the athletes, Team Nigeria captain Hannah Reuben expressed deep gratitude to the Bayelsa State Government, the National Sports Commission, and all key stakeholders who contributed to the team’s success.
The ceremony’s climax was the presentation of the women’s team trophy to Hon. Igali by the athletes—an emotional moment marking yet another sporting milestone for Bayelsa.
The event was graced by top officials including Ambassador Grace Alagoa, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, and Michael Alakere, Assistant Director of Human Resource Management, among other senior staff.
