On Thursday, the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS) in Lagos said it would introduce arm-wrestling as part of programmes within its training, research, and sports development mandate.

The institute’s director-general, Olawale Moronkola, said this when he received the president of the Arm Wrestling Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Jackson, and his team.

Mr Jackson was also at the institute with the arm wrestling team members that won laurels for Nigeria at the 13th African Games in Ghana.

Moronkola, who thanked the delegation, also promised to support and encourage them.

“This is something we will be proud of. We will work together to forge a good partnership. I like new ideas when there is justification for it. We shall be ready to take the necessary steps to make it work.

“We shall do all within our power and encourage you to put everything together in the next few months. I will take it to the academic board so that it can be included in our curriculum,” said Mr Jackson.

For their performance, Mr Jackson commended Nigeria’s arm wrestling at the 13th African Games.

“We want to have arm wrestling in the NIS curriculum to expose our athletes, technical officials and other stakeholders who may be interested in latest trends and as well as build up their techniques while also exposing them.

“We are also here to say thank you for allowing us to use the NIS facilities in Abuja while preparing for the games,” he said.

(NAN)