President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, NWF, Daniel Igali has emphasized that funding and early preparation is paramount to sporting excellence, stressing that the Federal Government and the Sports Ministry really need to throw their weight financially behind federations ahead of major championships.

Speaking during an online interview from Yenegoa, earlier the week, reaffirmed that there is no financial budget for the federation thereby making their preparations for any major championship challenging and tasking, adding that so many countries invest heavily in the development and business aspect of sports annually.

According to him, he sends his plans and programs for the year to the Sports Ministry yearly, hoping that they will respond but with such kind of development it is quite difficult for the athletes and federation to perform in any championship.

The Gold Medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a Commissioner of Sports in Bayelsa State, reiterated that some of their Olympic athletes get some funding and grants every month, noting that if the federations can access the Sports Lottery fund, it will help to alleviate some of the challenges.

It would be recalled that Team Nigeria at the just-concluded African Senior, Junior and Cadet Wrestling Championships in Hammamet, Tunisia, won 6 gold and 4 silver medals in the senior category, 2 gold in the junior category, 1 gold in beach wrestling, as well as clinching the African senior female team title for an unprecedented 12th time.