25th February, 2016
Taiwo Adelu
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of an international wrestling championship to honour Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has chosen 15-30 May for the competition to be staged across 15 centres in Lagos State.
The LOC of the competition tagged A+A Intercontinental Wrestling Force is headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo who also doubles as the Organising Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Coordinator of the tournament, Prince Olanrewaju Mohammed, said that the competition, which will see professional wrestlers across the world converging on Lagos, will be organised to celebrate the first anniversary of Governor Ambode in office.
He said all arrangements to host the world wrestling stars in Lagos has since begun.
According to Prince Mohammed, who is the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, the first day of the bout has been scheduled for Epe where the Governor himself comes from.
“For the first time in Africa, an intercontinental wrestling force festival will hold in Lagos to showcase the tourism potentials and the hospitality of the good people of one of the emerging mega cities of the world.
“We are taking the wrestling championship across different areas in the state to let the people at the grassroots be part of the action as we celebrate the good governance and service to the people of our dear Governor in his first year in office.
“The opening day action will hold in Epe, after which we will move the action to Alimosho, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Eti Osa, Ifako Ijaiye,Oshodi-Isolo, Badagry, Ojo, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Kosofe-Ketu, Surulere, while the grand finale will be staged at the Agege Stadium, the home town of our dear Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Obasa,” said Prince Mohammed, a former Nigeria and Intercontinental wrestling champion.
Other members of the LOC include Alhaji Abiodun Salami who is the chairman of Publicity Committee. He also doubles as the Assistant Secretary of APC in Lagos, Pastor Daramola Kareem, who heads Finance Committee, Hon. Sheriff Owolarafe, Alhaji Bashir Adekoya, Mrs. Otitonaye, Hon. Babatunde Ogunbiyi, three nominees from the Governor’s Office, two nominees from the Office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly and one nominee from the Deputy Governor’s Office.
Prince Mohammed further disclosed that 24 wrestlers will be coming from the home front, 11 will feature from African continent, while at least 35 wrestlers have signified interest from other continents of the world and most of them have already sent information on their international passports to facilitate issuance of Nigerian visas in their respective countries.
“Some of the notable wrestlers include Cannonball Grizzly from USA, American Big Vader, Giant Warrior of USA, Demolition Davies also from USA, Chris “Bambi Killer” Raaber from Austria. Raaber was in Lagos when we held the BRF Wrestlemania at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
“Others are Robin The Bull (Belgium), Eirick Justin (Norway), Rosto Poulet (France), Michael Kovak (Hong Kong), Makoto Morimitsu (Japan), Big Daddy (USA), Ultimo Chingon (Mexico), Scarz (Jamaica), Space Cowboy (Switzerland) and Titan (Bulgaria).
“In Africa, we have Noudem Michael (Angola), Tya Mupepe (DR Congo), Black Queen Angel (Liberia), Mast Terror (Sierra Leone), Bing USA (Congo Brazaville), Omar Baali (Morocco) and Lady Jeanne (Gabon).
“In the local scene here in Nigeria, we have lined up wrestlers such as Hot Tempo, Rocky Johnson, Iron Scatter, Strong Bone, Ariba Swan, Tony Destroyer, Super Rosco, Afro de Giant, Mighty Man, Super Hercules, Lady Bunmi, Iron Lady Becky, Wonderful Sholey and others.”