Baraladei Daniel Igali, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, has reached out to the President of United World Wrestling (UWW) regarding the denial of visas to four Nigerian wrestlers ahead of the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.
In his formal correspondence, Igali expressed deep disappointment over the visa refusals, describing the situation as a significant setback for the Nigerian team. He urged the UWW leadership to engage promptly with Croatian officials to resolve the matter.
The athletes affected by this decision are Mercy Genesis, Ogunsanya Christianah, Ojo Hannah, and Izolo Simon, all of whom had completed the necessary accreditation and travel formalities required for participation in the championships.
Croatian immigration authorities justified the visa rejections by expressing concerns about the athletes’ potential failure to return to Nigeria after the event. Igali strongly contested this reasoning, labeling it as “entirely inappropriate and unfair” for athletes officially recognized and invited by United World Wrestling, and whose expenses are covered by their national government.
“While such concerns might be relevant for casual tourists, applying them to accredited athletes representing their nation is unjust and unfounded,” Igali emphasized.
He further underscored the impressive achievements of the athletes denied entry: Hannah and Simon recently secured their inaugural African championship titles, while Christianah and Genesis are seasoned multiple-time African champions who also competed for Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Igali condemned the visa refusals as being based on “weak and arbitrary reasons,” calling it a direct affront to the athletes’ dedication, rigorous training, and aspirations. He warned that such discriminatory practices risk establishing an unfair hierarchy within international sports competitions.
“Allowing biased visa policies to continue, whether intentionally or not, fosters a divided system where some athletes are welcomed, and others are unjustly excluded,” he stated.
As a member of the UWW Bureau, Igali highlighted the critical role the World Wrestling Championships play as a qualifying event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He cautioned that barring these athletes would cause irreversible harm to their careers and send a discouraging message that competitors from regions like Africa are treated as inferior participants on the world stage.
With the Nigerian squad set to travel to Zagreb on 13 September 2025, Igali made an urgent plea for swift action to secure the necessary visas for the athletes.
“I respectfully but urgently request your direct intervention with Croatian authorities to ensure these athletes receive their visas without delay,” he appealed.
He concluded by warning that any failure to allow full Nigerian participation would not only undermine the integrity of the Championships but also damage the core values that the global wrestling community strives to uphold.
