Kano celebrates Eid-el-Kabir with traditional wrestling tourney

This much was disclosed to Trustsports yesterday by the president of Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammed Baba Abdullahi who said traditional wrestlers from other African countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso have been invited to participate in the one week fiesta which will end on December 7. The Trado sports president […]

This much was disclosed to Trustsports yesterday by the president of Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammed Baba Abdullahi who said traditional wrestlers from other African countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso have been invited to participate in the one week fiesta which will end on December 7.

The Trado sports president disclosed that apart from the international Wrestling match between Nigeria and Niger, there will be a national Dembe open classic which would attract athletes who won medals at the 2009 National Sports Festival at Kaduna

Abdullahi explained that the national wrestlers would be coming together to have a kind of Super Four Competition which is meant for the best wrestlers in the land.

“We have the Kano State sponsored international competition in traditional wrestling between Nigeria and Niger Republic. In addition, we are inviting our colleagues from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso to come and join in the event. The second one is the Dembe open national classic which is going to comprise of athletes who won medals at the last National Sports Festival”.

He reiterated that the event is meant to keep the city of Kano busy through out the festive period and to ensure that the people of Kano are positively engaged.

The Traditional sports boss explained that while the Kano State government has agreed to bankroll the competition, the traditional sports federation will handle the organizational aspect to ensure a hitch free event.

Abdullahi revealed that from the sponsorship money at the disposal of the organizers, participants in the one week event would smile home with cash prizes.

According to him, apart from money, there would be other prize items to be taken away by winners.

“There is going to be prizes in money to be won. Apart from money, there will be prize items to be won as well. The money is ranging from N100, 000, N70, 000 and N50, 000 for the third position. These are the prize money that is available”.

He also disclosed that feeding, transportation and accommodation of participating contingents would be shouldered by the hosting state.

Abdullahi maintained that within Kano State there has been massive awareness about the event as he said the local media has been mobilized to give the event adequate publicity.