President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) Wrestling Sports Committee, Colonel Naser Hassani from Iran, along with three Iranian coaches, arrived in Nigeria to conduct a 10-day training program for Nigerian military coaches and wrestlers.
The delegation was warmly received at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by Lieutenant Colonel Okou Femedein Timipre, the CISM Wrestling Sports Committee African Representative from Nigeria, and Lieutenant Colonel Gandi Bello, Iran’s Defence Attaché and Deputy Director of Sports Defence Headquarters.
During their visit, Colonel Hassani and Lieutenant Colonel Okou met with Air Vice Marshal NK Kumzhi, Director of Sports Defence Headquarters Abuja, and Major General Maikano Abdullahi, Vice President and President of CISM/OSMA. Colonel Hassani expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s hospitality and commended the Nigerian military’s organization and leadership, specifically praising Lieutenant Colonel Okou’s dedication to developing wrestling across Africa.
In a significant announcement, Colonel Hassani revealed that, with the approval of Iran’s Chief of Delegation, General Jamshid Fooladi, Nigeria’s military wrestling team would be invited to Iran for a training camp, recognizing Nigeria as the main hub for military wrestling in Africa. He also disclosed plans for Nigeria to host Beach Wrestling in 2026 and participate in the CISM Climbing for Peace Championship in Iran, highlighting the strengthening relationship between the two nations through sports.
Air Vice Marshal Kumzhi emphasized the Nigerian military’s commitment to fostering friendships and diplomatic partnerships through sports, crediting General Musa’s support for making the event possible. Major General Abdullahi praised Iran’s contributions to wrestling development in Africa, promising to share these efforts with other African countries at the upcoming General Assembly.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of souvenirs, marking a successful start to the training program and a new chapter in Nigeria-Iran military sports cooperation