Wrestling: Nigerian Army dominates 1st CGC Military/Paramilitary Championship
…expresses readiness for African Military Games 2024
By Tosin Omojola
The Nigerian Army emerged as champions of the 1st Comptroller General of Customs Military and Paramilitary National Wrestling Championship in Abuja.
The three-day tournament featured teams from the host, Nigeria Customs, as well as the Nigeria Air Force, NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Navy, FRSC, and Nigeria Correctional Service, competing in Greco-Roman, Men’s Freestyle, and Women’s Freestyle Wrestling at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
The Nigerian Army claimed a total of 14 medals—9 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze—asserting its dominance among military and paramilitary organizations in the wrestling event.
Brigadier General Abdulraheem Bello, Acting Director of Physical Training for the Nigerian Army, praised the wrestlers for their exceptional performance at the championship.
Brig. Gen. Bello remarked that the victory is a strong indication that the Nigerian Army wrestling team is prepared to make the nation proud at the upcoming African Military Games (AMGA) 2024.
He noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has provided the support and logistics needed for the development of sports, especially combat sports.
Bello stated, “I want to applaud the wrestlers for putting up an outstanding performance, finishing in first place at the recently concluded 1st Comptroller General of Customs Military and Paramilitary National Wrestling Championship.
“Before the championship, the wrestlers were tasked with winning convincingly and using the event as preparation for the African Military Games.
“Many of the gold medalists are also part of the national team and have previously won laurels for the country.
“Hannah Reuben is an African Champion, a Commonwealth Games medalist, and a two-time Olympian; Tochukwu Okeke and Julius Adekunle have dominated their respective categories in Greco-Roman wrestling. The Nigerian Army aims to continue making the country proud in international championships.
“Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has directed the Department of Physical Training to strive for victory in every available championship nationwide, providing full support and logistics to succeed. We also plan to recruit new athletes to fill the gaps left by some of our elite athletes who are now coaches or referees.
“Our next course of action is to immediately return to camp and intensify our training in preparation for the African Military Games next November,” he added.
