Promoting friendliness in Abuja through wrestling

KOLAWOLE DANIEL, Abuja

Abuja Wrestlers TRADITIONAL wrestling which provides a source of entertainment to both the audience and participants has been part and parcel of Nigeria people’s recreational activities in the rural areas.

To add colour to the event, music, song and dance are always used to showcase the Africa culture, the traditional wrestling intends to promote.

Traditional wrestling, unlike the foreign form of wrestling is devoid of gladiatorial combats. Rather, traditional wrestling has been an event of healthy competition among the rural people to enhance festivity and promote friendly ties and peaceful co-existence among the dwellers.

But for the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), such event should also feature in the cities, so that people living in the urban areas can also enjoy the game.

To this end, Federal Capital Territory traditional wrestling championship was organized to create a forum for interaction among the youth, provide entertainment for the residents of FCT and to encourage mutual understanding among the six Area Councils in order to promote unity for national development.

In was in a bid to promote the above that the NCAC in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) organized the first-ever Traditional wrestling championship among the six Area Councils in Abuja to promote the spirit of friendliness and peaceful co-existence among them.

For the Area Councils namely, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Kuje, Abaji, Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the championship would create a forum for them to showcase their talents.

The championship which comprises three different categories, Junior category, 45kg-60kg, intermediate category, 61kg-70kg and adult category, 71-kg and above, were keenly contested for by the participating Area Councils.

Speaking with City Tempo at the championship, NCAC Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Malgwi Maidugu, said importance of traditional sports in the promotion and development of Nigeria cultural heritage could not be over emphasized adding that efforts should be geared towards resuscitating some of these indigenous sports.

These sports over the years, he said, have assisted in the moulding and development of good character of the individuals who practise these sports as well as promoting healthy community relationship.

“It is our plan to institute this championship to be an annual event featuring as a mid-year activity in our beautiful Federal Capital City, Abuja.

“With this modest beginning, we plan to expand the scope so that it can achieve the desired objectives of promoting cultural interaction amongst the Area Councils as well as making it an even that will add to the tourism attraction of Abuja,” he said.

Also, Speaking with City Tempo, at the Championship, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Solomon Matankari, noted that there was much to tap from Nigeria cultures in achieving a peaceful co-existence and sustainable development in the country.

He commended the NCAC for putting up the championship together in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat, FCTA.

“As you know, Traditional Wrestling has contributed immensely not only to the physical and mental development of the youths but has been a major instrument of promoting peace and unity among communities.

“It is my desire that one day, Traditional Wrestling will be included as one of the major sports to be competed for in the Olympics.

“But for this to be possible, the rules of the game must be standardized and fine tuned to international standards without altering the basic cultural component of the game,” he stated.

Mr. Matankari, also said the ministry would continue to encourage the NCAC in its efforts at promoting indigenous Arts and Culture in some of its innovative programmes.

The Director of Arts, Culture and Social Development, Abuja, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, who also spoke with City Tempo, said traditional wrestling needs to be moved to the higher level, adding that it should be celebrated and sustained.

He also revealed that the next edition would be commercialized in order to make it more colourful.

At the end of the championship, the winners were announced at the various categories. In the junior category 45kg-60kg, Ibrahim Mutari of Bwari Area Council came first, while Abdulkarim Amodu of Kwali Area Council came second, and Habib Rabi of Gwagwalada Area Council, third.
In the intermediate category, 61kg-70kg, Bashiru Kano of AMAC came first while Zubaru Abdulahi of Kwali came second, and Lawal Sani also form Kwali clinched the third position.

In the senior category of 71kg and above, Sanda Ibrahim of Kuje Area Council came first, while Umaru Audu of Gwagwalada Area Council came second while Abdulrasheed Haminu of Bwari Area Council came third.

The winners were given different prizes, certificates, trophy andsome amounts to take care of their logistics at the end of the championship.

Mr. Matankari charged the participants, saying “we should note that in every event there are winners and losers but our culture demands we take it in good faith and work harder so that tomorrow those of us that lost today will become winners tomorrow.”

As Nigerians tend to excel in all fields of human endeavour, it is believed by participants that it is time for the government and all stakeholders to start thinking of how to repackage the traditional wrestling for export and as a possible revenue earner for Nigeria just like Hollywood wrestling.