Wrestling coach rues Turkey Embassy’s denial of entry visa to Onyebuchi

Deputy National Coach of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Purity Akuh, says the body is still sad over the refusal by the Turkey Embassy to grant entry visas to both Blessing Onyebuchi and Coach Victor Kodei to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympics final qualifier.

Last week, NWF President, Daniel Igali, condemned the attitude of the Turkish Embassy to Nigeria even after the necessary documents had been presented to it.

The duo was scheduled to attend the last Olympic Wrestling qualifying tournament in Istanbul from May 6 to 8.

Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Akuh said the federation has put that episode behind them since the ticket has been lost, adding they are looking forward to assembling the qualified wrestlers this weekend as they await further instruction from the National Sports Commission.

“For now, some of the wrestlers are in Ondo while some are in Bayelsa states for conditional programme. We are working on more strategies that will help us to do well at Rio.

“The athletes have been watching videos of the top 10 wrestlers in the league. As for Onyebuchi, we have lost the ticket, our concentration now should be on the wrestlers who will be in Brazil for the Olympics in August,” he said.

Onyebuchi’s inability to feature in the trials in Turkey means Nigeria will now be represented by only seven wrestlers at the Rio Olympic Games.