NWF president lauds Team Nigeria after World Championships

The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has praised Team Nigeria’s wrestlers for their patriotic display at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, despite the country failing to win a medal.

Adeniyi said the athletes’ runs to the semi-final and knockout stages showed that Nigeria is becoming more competitive on the global wrestling stage.

“I want to commend our wrestlers for their patriotism, determination and commitment in representing Nigeria at the World Wrestling Championships. As a federation, we will always appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of our athletes in representing this country, irrespective of the outcome.

“What matters is their commitment to national assignment and determination to give their best,” Adeniyi said.

He added that medals do not come overnight and that sustained investment is needed.

“Medals are important, but they are not won overnight. We must continue to invest in our athletes, expose them to quality international competitions, and ensure that they have the necessary support to compete favourably against the best in the world,” he said.

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The federation president said the main aim of the trip was not only to win medals but also to expose the wrestlers to the demands and intensity of elite competition, which he described as essential to their long-term development.

He said proper preparation and consistent exposure to top-level events remain critical.

According to him, the performances in Astana gave the federation a chance to assess the progress made by Nigerian wrestlers in recent years and to identify areas that need improvement to close the gap with the leading wrestling nations.

Adeniyi expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon begin to win medals at the world level, and he assured the athletes that the federation is committed to providing the support and enabling environment they need.

Nigeria sent 11 wrestlers to the championships, the highest number the country has ever presented at the event. Adeniyi described this as a significant milestone and a reflection of the federation’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s presence in international wrestling.