A pressing issue has arisen ahead of the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, as four top Nigerian wrestlers have been denied visas by Croatian authorities despite fulfilling all requirements for accreditation and travel. This development has sparked concerns about fairness and equality in international sports.
The wrestlers affected by the visa refusal are:
1. Genesis Miessinne Mercy
2. Ogunsanya Tolulope Christianah
3. Ojo Damola Hannah
4. Izolo Stephen Simon
These athletes are not newcomers to the sport; they are accomplished competitors with impressive credentials, including multiple African titles and Olympic experience.
The Croatian authorities cited doubts over the athletes' intention to return to Nigeria as the reason for the visa refusal. However, this reasoning has been deemed unjust and misplaced, given the athletes' official status as representatives of their country and their accreditation by United World Wrestling.
With the team scheduled to depart for Zagreb on September 13, 2025, time is of the essence. The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Baraladei Daniel Igali, has written to the United World Wrestling (UWW) President, appealing for urgent intervention to secure the visas and ensure the athletes' participation in the Championships.
The visa refusal has raised broader concerns about the principles of universality, fairness, and inclusivity in sports. The letter emphasizes that discriminatory visa practices can create a two-tiered system, where some athletes are welcomed and others are unjustly shut out. This, in turn, can undermine the credibility of the Championships and tarnish the values that the sport strives to uphold.
The UWW President has been urged to intervene directly with the Croatian authorities to secure the visas and ensure the athletes' participation in the Championships. The letter concludes by emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the rights of all athletes, regardless of their origin, and upholding the values of merit-based participation in the sport.
(C) Charles Mayuku
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