Wrestling, a Unifying Sports – Nye Udu Otuwarikpo
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During the Upata 2021 Wrestling Season Kickoff Ceremony
by Oyagiri Chime
RIVERS: The Nye Udu Igbu Upata, His Majesty, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo has described traditional wrestling as a unifying sports that brings the people together and ushers in peaceful coexistence.
Otuwarikpo made the statement during the kickoff ceremony of the 2021 wrestling season of the Upata people, Friday, June 25th at Ula-Upata town (ancestral home of the people), adding that wrestling signifies peace, togetherness and unity of purpose.
The traditional ruler who was elated on the seeming success of the event, said wrestling as an ancient sports will not be allowed to go extinct, especially as he is on the saddle to preserve and protect the culture of his people.
He called on the people to maintain the cultural ethics of the sports and not to see it as a ‘do or die’ affair during the competitions in their respective communities.
The Nye Udu who doubles as the Regent of Ekpeye Supreme traditional throne, reiterated that Ekpeye ethnic nation is peaceful with the traditional rulers working together for the growth of the people.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion, Barr. Ben Eke, who is the Executive Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, said the council would synergize with the traditional rulers to maintain the cultural sports.
Eke challenged other kingdoms to come up with proposals on events that will promote unity and peace in the local government area, promising to partner with his sister LGA to host a wrestling competition within the year.
He expatiated that the competition will be geared towards raising great wrestlers that can represent the ethnic nation outside its shores, adding that the overall winner will coast home with #300,000.00, second runner – #200,000.00 and third place will go home with #100,000.00.
The opening ceremony of the Upata Kingdom 2021 wrestling season was declared open with the raising of the kingdom flag by the executive chairman of Ahoada East local government area, Barr Ben Eke.
Culturally, the 21 communities and other settlements that makes up Upata Kingdom can now start their respective wrestling competitions and bouts, since its Nye Udu has formally cimmisioned it at the ancestral home, Ula-Upata.
Dignitaries at the event were; His Majesty, Eze Joshua Eyiba, Eze Igbu Igbuduya ll, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi, Eze Igbu Akoh ll, first class traditional rulers from Engenni and Abua.
Others were; Representatives of the Commissioners for Sports and Culture, former Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Rt Hon Chibudho Nwuche, former Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Steven Ezekwem, former Assembly member and Caretaker Chairman, Hon Beatrice Awala, amongst others.
