By Francis Ajuonuma
Muay Thai fighters in the country will be kept busy with regular competitions in the years ahead as the WBC Muay Thai Federation of Nigeria aims to popularise the sport in the country.
President of the federation, Samuel Nweke gave the assurance at the end of the WBC Muay Thai National championship held at the Multi-purpose Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at weekend.
Speaking with the media, an elated Nweke, who was so impressed with the performance of the fighters at the national championship and the success recorded at a one day seminar/workshop organised by WBC Muay Thai Federation of Nigeria to update coaches and technical officials on the rules and technics of the sport, declared his readiness to sponsor regular national competitions every year as part of the efforts to left the sport in the country.
Nweke expressed optimism that it’s only a question of time before Nigerian fighters start making their mark in the WBC Muay Thai.
The Seminar/workshop was conducted and supervised by WBC Muay Thai Africa President, Hadj Bettahar of Algeria.
“I’m impressed with our progress so far, Nigerians are embracing the sport. For now I’m willing, I’m ready to keep sponsoring for the next three years and I know that good hands will join and we’ll lift it up.
“We’re doing the right thing and if we continue to do the right thing, not robbing people of their fight, I’m sure we’ll feel bad,” Nweke said.
“I’m seeing this WBC Muay Thai in a very envious state as far as sport is concerned in the nearest future, reason – Is like a coal of fire, if you have bunch of coal just make one catch very well, if it catches well it will touch others,” added.
Bettahar, who also spoke with ThisNigeria acknowledged the talents in Nigeria, but pointed out that there is room for improvement.
“Today I see progress for Muay Thai Nigeria, it’s growing. But I see many things, I’m going to discuss with the President, Vice President and head coach on how we can be better next time,” he said.
