Team Cross River Departs Calabar for 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa

By ETTAH EMMANUEL O

Team Cross River has officially departed Calabar with  26 athletes and 7 officials to participate in the highly anticipated 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics, scheduled to take place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The prestigious championship will commence on Tuesday at the competition venue, with bouts across various weight categories slated to run from March 25th through April 1st. The tournament is expected to attract top wrestling talents from across Nigeria, featuring participation from both state teams and registered wrestling clubs.

Addressing the athletes before departure, the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Etta Lawrence Itanya, charged the team to be worthy ambassadors of the state. He urged them to remain united, disciplined, and focused on achieving excellence.

He also encouraged the athletes to strive for gold medals while upholding the values of sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the competition.

Furthermore, the Chairman expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, and his wife, Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for their unwavering support and commitment to the development of sports in the state. He noted that their leadership has ensured that all necessary logistics and provisions were adequately put in place to enable the team’s successful participation.

He conveyed their goodwill and best wishes to the team as they represent Cross River State on the national stage.

The Cross River delegation is being led by Happiness Burutu, the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, who expressed strong confidence in the team’s preparedness and determination ahead of the competition.

Speaking prior to departure, she noted that the athletes were carefully selected and are fully equipped—both physically and mentally—to deliver exceptional performances.

“Team Cross River is ready to compete and excel at the highest level. The athletes are in high spirits and fully motivated to secure gold medals across all categories,” she stated.

An athlete who spoke with correspondent Ettah Emmanuel O. also affirmed the team’s readiness, describing the camp atmosphere as calm, focused, and driven by a strong sense of unity and purpose. He emphasized that the squad is determined to make a significant impact at the national event.

This year’s edition of the championship will feature a blend of state teams and independent wrestling clubs, further increasing the level of competition. Cross River State will be represented by both the official state team and the Etta Lawrence Wrestling Club, thereby strengthening its presence and medal prospects.

With high morale, thorough preparation, and a strong contingent, Team Cross River heads into the 2026 Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics as a formidable force and one of the teams to watch.