18th November, 2010
The Local Organisng Committee, LOC, of the Intercontinental Wrestling Championship, tagged BRF Wrestlemania 2010, says invited foreign stars will start arriving Nigeria from Friday, 26 November.
The wrestling tourney, which is being organised to honour Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for his commitment to sports development in the state, will hold from 28 November to 11 December.
General Coordinator of the championship, Alhaji Hammed Mohammed, told P.M.Sports that the arrival dates of the wrestlers, who will be coming from Europe, Asia, America and other African states, have been fixed for 26 and 27 November.
Mohammed also disclosed that the LOC, headed by Primate Charles Odugbesi has concluded arrangements to send return tickets and 25 per cent of appearance fees to the foreign wrestlers by tomorrow.
“Time is against us that’s why the LOC decided to send return tickets and part payment of appearance fees to the 20 foreign wrestlers, who have been selected for the tourney to give them the guarantee that the organisers are serious and ready for the competition,†he said.
“Wrestlers like Tyamupepe of Congo DR and Bing of Congo are already in the country preparing for the championship. When the foreign wrestlers start arriving, they would move straight to the Duban Hotel, Isheri Road, Ogba, Ikeja. So, we are set for the championship and will stage a memorable one,†he said.
Mohammed further disclosed that as part of LOC’s plan to sentisitise Lagosians on the tournament, distribution of fliers has since commenced across major areas in the Lagos metroplis and the eleven centres, where the championship will be staged.
“We have also concluded plans to place banners of the tournament at the secretariats of all 57 local government councils and the Local Council Development Areas of the state, while all the Managers of the 11 centres where the championship will be staged across Lagos have received letters from us.
“There are some banners at the State House, Ikeja and the seat of Lagos State Government in Alausa, Ikeja.
“We are planning a road show on Saturday that will run from Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere to Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Ketu, Falomo, Obalende, Race Course, Tinubu Square, Idumota, Apogbon, Ijora and ends at the stadium
“The officials of Duban Hotel have also assured that they would give the wrestlers the best hospitality during their stay in Nigeria,” Mohammed.
