Lagos — The Nigeria Wrestling Federation will send 12-man wrestling team to the World Wrestling Championships, scheduled for Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 in Budapest, Hungary.

The federation resolved last week that the team would comprise five wrestlers and seven accompanying officials.

The board has approved the plan to stage National Open Championship in Kogi State. The Kogi government will bankroll the event with N3.6 million.

The NWF also approved another championship to be sponsored by Ebonyi State Government in Abakaliki in December.

Other championships planned within the last quarter of the year, include another to be held in Ondo and yet another to be sponsored by big conglomerate, still under negotiation.

The NWF resolved to continue with a tour of six Geo-political to re-awaken interest in amateur wrestling.

The first of such tours, which was held in Abakaliki for the South-East had Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and hosts, Ebonyi in attendance.

Meanwhile, the federation has endorsed the nomination of Tony Nezianya, an executive member of the federation who is seeking re-election into the board of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

The board said it would back the bid because Nezianya has demonstrated commitment toward reviving amateur wrestling in the country.

Chief Austin Edeze, president of the federation said: "we in the board are satisfied with your past contributions. We are pleased by your current effort to see to it that the sports is revived.

"Your production of a house journal, 'On the Mat', is a worthy acknowledgement of your commitment toward growth and development of amateur wrestling. We support you and we wish you well in the elections," he said.