Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who also serves as the National President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.
The Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) has stepped up preparations for the 2026 World Wrestling Championships with plans to establish a strategic training camp at Iowa State University in the United States ahead of the global competition. Throwback Times Nigeria learnt.
The initiative is being driven under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, who also serves as the National President of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation.
Adeniyi was elected NAWF president in October 2025 after securing all 14 votes cast by members of the federation's executive board at Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja. His emergence marked the beginning of a new administration focused on strengthening wrestling development, athlete welfare, sponsorship and international exposure.
The proposed Iowa camp is designed to bring together Nigerian amateur wrestlers based in different parts of the United States for collective preparation ahead of the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, scheduled for October 24 to November 1.
The programme is expected to provide an avenue for Nigerian athletes studying or residing in the United States to train together while gaining access to a stronger competitive and technical environment.
Home-based wrestlers who possess valid United States visas are also expected to participate in the camp, creating an opportunity for the federation to blend athletes from its domestic programme with Nigerian wrestlers competing or studying abroad.
Beyond established athletes, the initiative is also expected to provide a scouting opportunity for Nigerian-born wrestlers in the United States who are eligible and interested in representing the country.
The federation said athletes of Nigerian descent who meet the eligibility requirements could be integrated into the national team structure through the programme.
Coach Akuh Commends Adeniyi
Nigeria's women's wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, welcomed the initiative and commended the federation's leadership for creating an international training platform for Nigerian athletes.
She described opportunities of this nature as important to the continued development of Nigerian wrestlers, particularly because exposure to quality facilities, experienced coaches and high-level athletes can improve preparation for major international competitions.
The initiative is consistent with Adeniyi's stated objective of expanding wrestling through stronger partnerships, sponsorship and a more inclusive administrative structure.
Since taking over the federation's leadership, Adeniyi has also demonstrated an emphasis on athlete welfare. In November 2025, he donated a new bus to the federation to strengthen transportation and logistics for the national wrestling team.
The planned United States training camp therefore represents another component of the federation's stronger effort and strategy to improve preparation and international exposure for Nigerian amateur wrestlers.
With the World Championships approaching, the NAWF is expected to continue combining domestic preparation with international training opportunities as it seeks stronger performances for Nigeria on the global wrestling stage.
Credit: Throwback Times Nigeria
