Sports: Wrestling Star Launches Talent Project Says Manager
… lauds Gov Nwifuru, unveils plans for younger generation
Nigeria’s celebrated wrestling champion, Emmanuel Chinonso Nworie has unveiled an ambitious grassroots programme aimed at discovering and nurturing young wrestling talents across Ebonyi State. The initiative, known as the Ebonyi State Children’s Wrestling Talent Development Project, is positioned to become one of the most significant youth-sports interventions in the state.
Speaking exclusively to Facts Daily, Executive Business Manager to the two-time African Champion, Dr. Meso Egwu said the project marks a new chapter in the athlete’s efforts to give back to the community that shaped him.
Dr Egwu described Nworie’s rise from modest beginnings in Ezza North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria to international figure as “a story of sheer determination and discipline.” According to him, the champion trained for years without sponsors, standard facilities, or early government support, yet went on to become a 15-time National Champion and three-time Best Wrestler in Nigeria.
“He did not just participate in wrestling; he conquered it,” Dr. Egwu said, adding that Nworie’s achievements continue to inspire young people across the state and beyond.
Among career highlights, Engr Egwu recalled Nworie’s gold medal victory at the African Championships, which ended Nigeria’s long drought in his category and placed both the country and Ebonyi on the continental wrestling map. He also cited the wrestler’s strong performances against top international competitors, noting that “those victories were not luck but the result of years of discipline and focus.”
He noted that Nworie’s new initiative aims to build what the champion himself lacked hence a structured training pipeline for young athletes. The project will involve school visits, community scouting, talent camps, and mentorship sessions led by experienced coaches and Nworie himself. Each training cycle will culminate in the Ebonyi Children’s Wrestling Championship, where outstanding athletes will receive scholarships and long-term support.
“If one man like Emmanuel could achieve all this with limited resources, imagine what will happen when more young wrestlers receive proper coaching and structure,” Dr. Egwu noted.
He further stressed that the project aligns with the administration of Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who has prioritized sports development and youth empowerment. He called on the state government to provide more logistic and financial support to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
Dr. Egwu also confirmed that Nworie is preparing to transition into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), describing the move as a natural step for a competitor eager to prove himself on the global stage. Despite the shift, he said the champion remains deeply committed to raising the next generation of Ebonyi wrestlers.
According to Dr. Egwu, Nworie defines legacy as leaving behind opportunities he never had. “He always says his story should be the beginning, not the peak, for the next child from Ebonyi,” he added.
With his new project, Nworie hopes to transform Ebonyi State into a recognised hub for wrestling excellence, one capable of producing future national, continental, and global champions.