Odunayo Adekuoroye at Pro Wrestling League in New Delhi in India

Taiwo Adelu

Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has congratulated 2014 Commonwealth gold medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye on her victory over Ukraine’s Tatyana Kit at the maiden edition of the Pro-Wrestling league which ended Sunday in New Delhi, India.

Adekuoroye who was the only African in Team Mumbai Garuda defeated Tatyana Kit of Team Haryana Hammers by 9 points to 0 in the 53kg weight category.

The two time African champion had earlier defeated Ukraine’s Liliya Horishna, Babita Kumari and Lalita Sehrawat of India and Priyanka Phogat on her way to the final.

“We just received the news of Adekuoroye’s victory in far away India and we’re so proud of her. Nigerian athletes are very talented and they will do more exploits with support and motivation. President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has promised reward for excellence, therefore, all athletes who have made the country proud through excellence in sports will be rewarded accordingly in the new year,” Dalung said in a press statement.

Adekuoroye is the only Nigerian wrestler to secure a slot for the 2016 Rio Olympics after winning bronze at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas, USA. She also won bronze at the World Grand Prix held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Barrister Dalung however promised to support Nigerian athletes as they prepare for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.

“Wrestling is one of the sports we’re expecting Nigeria to do well in at Rio. I believe that if Adekuoroye is given maximum support before the games, she will perform creditably well. I implore you and other athletes to keep up with the hard work as you continue to make Nigeria proud. The Ministry of Youth and Sports will make all provisions needed available to Nigerian athletes to ensure that they qualify for the Olympics,” said Dalung