Thirty countries are expected to compete at the Alfred Diete-Spif Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, across cadet, junior and senior divisions from tomorrow.

Igali, who won the freestyle 69 kilograms Olympic title at Sydney 2000, was re-elected as NWF President in June.

"In the next few days we will be hosting the whole of Africa," the Nigerian-born wrestler said to Vanguard.

"And it's important that as we host, we not only host well, but host to win."

Although born in Nigeria, Igali won his Olympic gold while competing for Canada.

He remained in the country after the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria and sought refugee status, gaining citizenship in 1998.

In 1999 he won the World Championship title and in 2002 he added Commonwealth Games gold in Manchester.

Igali also spoke at the 2013 International Olympic Committee Session in Buenos Aires, when wrestling was restored to the sports programme after being axed.

Nigeria has named 90 wrestlers for their home event in all, including 30 seniors.

The number includes Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games freestyle 53kg gold medallist Odunayo Adekuoroye and seven-time African champion Blessing Oborududu in the women's 63kg.

Adekuoroye also won World Championship silver in Paris last year at 55kg.

She was one of two African medallists in the French capital, alongside Tunisia's Marwa Amri who won silver in the women's 58kg.