Bayelsa govt applauds wrestling referee Okou on certification, upgrade by United World Wrestling

The Bayelsa government on Thursday felicitated Dr Timipre Okou over his recent upgrade to the International Wrestling Referee body following his certification by United World Wrestling in Alexandria, Egypt.

Okou hails from Isampou in Ekeremor local government in Bayelsa.

In a congratulatory message by the Technical Adviser on Grassroots Mobilization to Gov Douye Diri, Dr. Bertola Perekeme describes Okou’s elevation as timely and a leap for Bayelsa sports at a time the Diri-led administration is revolutionising sports and giving it a pride of place beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Perekeme said the Diri-led government is using sports to rebrand Bayelsa and engage youths to be impactful as they pursue their goals of winning laurels at both national and international competitions.

He applauded the state Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali and his team at the Ministry of Youth and Sports for their sacrifices and dedication.

The message assured of the government’s readiness to support Okou as he becomes the second Wrestling Referee from Nigeria to be elevated by the international governing body for wrestling at the Olympics.

Okou, a Major in the Nigerian Army, was until his elevation the Chairman, Nigeria Wrestling Referees Association and would be representing the country at the forthcoming World Military Games.