The world boxing Federation has ruled out Nigeria's automatic qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games in two female weight categories, following protests by Tunisia Wrestling Federation (TWF), according to a local sports radio station brilafm reports.

Daniel Igali, the national wrestling coach of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) in Lagos on Wednesday informed the local sports radio station that the country was culpable of the plight.

He said the federation is fighting hard to overturn the judgment in Nigeria's favor or at least gain some sort of concession from the world wrestling governing body.

The former Canadian representative and Commonwealth Games ex-champion said the decision was not political, but hinged it on failure of the Nigerian team to arrive at Dubai on schedule, due to lack of funds.

"The Tunisians are protesting against some errors and other lapses in the registration of the two female wrestlers, they have a valid case against Nigeria and I think we have to respect them," he said.

He added that the country had some lapses while making its presentations and it was due to late arrival for the competition.

"We just hope the world body would review the case in our favor, based on arguments that the wrestlers eventually qualified before the protests came," he said.

The former Olympic and world freestyle wrestling champion also pointed out that all hope is not lost, saying the wrestling federation has an equally good case to present and remained upbeat the ruling could eventually go Nigeria's way.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2008)