I’VE NO REGRETS DUMPING NIGERIA - IGALI
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- Written by Orkula Shaagee
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Daniel Baraladei Igali is currently a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 3, and is the Chairman of the House’s Committee on Sports.
Igali, who left Nigeria in 1988 to take Canadian citizenship after several futile attempts to represent Nigeria at international arena, blames Nigeria’s sporting policies and preparatory programs for the unimpressive showing of Nigerian athletes in major international sporting events. He has to his credit 7 Canadian wrestling titles from 1997-2003, world championship title, Olympic and Commonwealth Games crowns. Excerpts:
May you give us your background (name, date of birth, place of birth and education).My name is Baraladei Daniel Igali and I was born on 03/02/1974, in Eniwari town, southern Ijaw lga, in Bayelsa state. I attended primary school and secondary school in Eniwari town and university education at the University of Jos, 1992-1994 and Simon Fraser University for first and second degrees in criminology.
Family life
I am married with three children Career (How you started, when, number of competitions participated in, laurels won).
I started wrestling at a young age, 10. Got inspired after the 1984 Olympics and wanted to go to the Olympics from then, though did not quite appreciate what it was or meant to go to the Olympics.
The first international event you represented Nigeria.
It was in 1991 at the All Africa Games in Egypt but could not make the 1992 Olympic team because of lack of funds and was dropped at the airport. I have won two African titles in 1993 and 1994, also represented Nigeria at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, finished 11th.
Which competition is your most memorable event ever and why?
It was the 1999 World Championships because it was the first time a Canadian freestyle wrestler was winning a world title. Also because I was just recuperating from a knee surgery performed just three weeks prior to the world championships.
Saddest Moment
My saddest experience rather, was the competition I could not attend in Senegal, Olympic qualifiers in 1992.
Why is it your worst competition?
Because after spending two months preparing to have the chance to represent my country at the Olympics, I was dropped at the airport citing lack of funds, and to this day it still remains the worst sporting experience of my life.
If not athlete, what would you have been doing?
I dreamt of being a lot of things as a kid, lawyer, journalist etc. but I am satisfied with what I am doing now, a lawmaker in Bayelsa State; doing what I do and enjoy best, coaching and mentoring young kids to be the best they can be.
Do you have any coaching career?
Yes, been an assistant coach at Simon Fraser University from 2000 – 2006 and on the national Canadian coaching staff in 2006 and a volunteer Technical Adviser from 2007 to date.
Other professional courses attended.
I also attended several international coaching conferences, currently certified as a FILA licensed coach. FILA is the international wrestling body.
How would you rate the current Nigerian wrestlers?
Lots of talent and heart, lots of potentials.
Who is your model in wrestling?
My model is John Smith of the USA who won four world titles and two Olympic titles and retired from the sport at the age of 26.
What is your philosophy in life?
Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch, he who says no to the other, let his wings break.
Laurels won for the country
I am 7 time Canadian wrestling champion 1997 - 2003, world champion, 1999, Olympic champion, 2000, and Commonwealth Games champion, 2002. I am the first Canadian in its history to be world and Olympic champion in the sport of wrestling.
What informed your decision to represent Canada rather than your country of birth (Nigeria) at the Olympics?
I tried on several occasions to come back and represent Nigeria from 1996-1998 and when all efforts failed, I took Canadian citizenship in 1998.
Do you regret representing Canada at the Olympics?
Never, in fact, if I were to make the same decision under the same circumstances, I would make the same decision over and over again. I would never have been a world champion or Olympic champion if I was in Nigeria because of the sporting policies and preparatory programs we have in place. I am a proud Canadian and proud Nigerian that is the beauty of being a dual citizen. I am involved with the Nigerian national team mainly for these reasons, to ensure that we give them all the needed support to excel at the world level on the sport – at the world championships and Olympics. Governor Timipre Sylva has been very supportive of our wrestling program; we will push hard for a medal at the 2012 Olympics.
Articles
I’VE NO REGRETS DUMPING NIGERIA - IGALI
Category: Shot Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 3802
Daniel Baraladei Igali is currently a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 3, and is the Chairman of the House’s Committee on Sports.
Igali, who left Nigeria in 1988 to take Canadian citizenship after several futile attempts to represent Nigeria at international arena, blames Nigeria’s sporting policies and preparatory programs for the unimpressive showing of Nigerian athletes in major international sporting events. He has to his credit 7 Canadian wrestling titles from 1997-2003, world championship title, Olympic and Commonwealth Games crowns. Excerpts:
May you give us your background (name, date of birth, place of birth and education).My name is Baraladei Daniel Igali and I was born on 03/02/1974, in Eniwari town, southern Ijaw lga, in Bayelsa state. I attended primary school and secondary school in Eniwari town and university education at the University of Jos, 1992-1994 and Simon Fraser University for first and second degrees in criminology.
Family life
I am married with three children Career (How you started, when, number of competitions participated in, laurels won).
I started wrestling at a young age, 10. Got inspired after the 1984 Olympics and wanted to go to the Olympics from then, though did not quite appreciate what it was or meant to go to the Olympics.
The first international event you represented Nigeria.
It was in 1991 at the All Africa Games in Egypt but could not make the 1992 Olympic team because of lack of funds and was dropped at the airport. I have won two African titles in 1993 and 1994, also represented Nigeria at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, finished 11th.
Which competition is your most memorable event ever and why?
It was the 1999 World Championships because it was the first time a Canadian freestyle wrestler was winning a world title. Also because I was just recuperating from a knee surgery performed just three weeks prior to the world championships.
Saddest Moment
My saddest experience rather, was the competition I could not attend in Senegal, Olympic qualifiers in 1992.
Why is it your worst competition?
Because after spending two months preparing to have the chance to represent my country at the Olympics, I was dropped at the airport citing lack of funds, and to this day it still remains the worst sporting experience of my life.
If not athlete, what would you have been doing?
I dreamt of being a lot of things as a kid, lawyer, journalist etc. but I am satisfied with what I am doing now, a lawmaker in Bayelsa State; doing what I do and enjoy best, coaching and mentoring young kids to be the best they can be.
Do you have any coaching career?
Yes, been an assistant coach at Simon Fraser University from 2000 – 2006 and on the national Canadian coaching staff in 2006 and a volunteer Technical Adviser from 2007 to date.
Other professional courses attended.
I also attended several international coaching conferences, currently certified as a FILA licensed coach. FILA is the international wrestling body.
How would you rate the current Nigerian wrestlers?
Lots of talent and heart, lots of potentials.
Who is your model in wrestling?
My model is John Smith of the USA who won four world titles and two Olympic titles and retired from the sport at the age of 26.
What is your philosophy in life?
Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch, he who says no to the other, let his wings break.
Laurels won for the country
I am 7 time Canadian wrestling champion 1997 - 2003, world champion, 1999, Olympic champion, 2000, and Commonwealth Games champion, 2002. I am the first Canadian in its history to be world and Olympic champion in the sport of wrestling.
What informed your decision to represent Canada rather than your country of birth (Nigeria) at the Olympics?
I tried on several occasions to come back and represent Nigeria from 1996-1998 and when all efforts failed, I took Canadian citizenship in 1998.
Do you regret representing Canada at the Olympics?
Never, in fact, if I were to make the same decision under the same circumstances, I would make the same decision over and over again. I would never have been a world champion or Olympic champion if I was in Nigeria because of the sporting policies and preparatory programs we have in place. I am a proud Canadian and proud Nigerian that is the beauty of being a dual citizen. I am involved with the Nigerian national team mainly for these reasons, to ensure that we give them all the needed support to excel at the world level on the sport – at the world championships and Olympics. Governor Timipre Sylva has been very supportive of our wrestling program; we will push hard for a medal at the 2012 Olympics.