Sports

Olympics Qualifier: NWF President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul Lauds Weightlifters After Tunisia Medal Haul

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2023

…Ambassador Charges Lifters To Remain Focused.

The President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, FCISM, OCP, CMC; has commended Nigeria weightlifters who won 12 medals at the just concluded 2023 Senior Africa Weightlifting Championship in Tunisia.

Five Nigeria athletes, Lawal Rufiatu, Olarinoye Adijat, Eze Joy Ogbonne, Edidiong Umoafia and Akano Desmond represented Nigeria at the championship which also served as the 2024 Olympic Games qualifier.

They competed in 59kg and 71kg women’s categories as well as 73kg and 89kg men’s categories.

They won a total of 12 medals made up of three gold, seven silver and two bronze medals to put Nigeria’s quest for the 2024 Olympic Games qualification on sound track.

In a release signed by the Media Officer, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Mr Amaechi Agbo, the President charged the weightlifters to buckle up ahead of more qualifiers.

“First and foremost, I want to commend the athletes for doing their best, considering the circumstances.

“As the president and someone who aim for the best, I wanted all of them to win gold medals in Tunisia. Nevertheless, I am proud of what they achieved.

“However, I urge them to buckle up. We have just started the race to Olympic Games qualification and there is a long way to go. They should remain active, sustain their training schedules and strictly follow them.

“As a federation, we will continue to provide, within our powers, all that are necessary for them to excel. We cannot afford to miss out on Olympics again after what happened in Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.

“I have no doubts in their abilities and I believe that once they remain focused, we will get there,” he said

Meanwhile, Nigeria ambassador to Tunisia, Amb. Asari Edem Allotey has charged the weightlifters to remain focused in their quest for 2024 Olympics tickets.
Amb. Allotey stated this on Thursday while hosting the Nigeria Weightlifting contingent in her house.

The Ambassador who expressed delight with the performances of the lifters, also cautioned them to make improvements if they must become Olympic medalists in Paris next year.

Nigeria weightlifters are expected to participate in five other weightlifting qualifying championships as they seek a return to Olympic Games medal podium in Paris next year.

The championships/Olympics qualifiers are: IWF Grand Prix Havana, Cuba June 2-12, 2023, IWF World Championships Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -September 2nf to 17th, 2023, IWF Grand Prix Doha, Qatar December 1st -17th, 2023, African Championships February 25 March 02, 2024 (host to be confirmed) and IWF World Cup Phuket, Thailand April, 2024

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Sports

Nigeria Customs Service Embarks on Training Tour

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As part of preparations for the 2025 African Women’s Club Championship, the Nigeria Customs Service women’s volleyball team has embarked on a training tour in Benin Republic.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 14 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The team departed for Benin Republic on Wednesday.

The Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving the training tour.

He emphasised that the tour would allow the players and coaching crew to assess their level of preparedness for the upcoming championship.

Onikeku expressed confidence in the team’s potential to make a strong impression at the tournament, citing the support received from the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly through the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.

He said, “The volleyball team has traveled to Benin Republic for a 10-day training tour. The players have been in camp since February, and this tour will provide them with an opportunity to compete against teams outside the country.

“I want to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving this training tour.

“During the training tour, Nigeria Customs Service will take on strong opponents from Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo.

“The support we received from Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, has been tremendous, and the team is committed to making the country proud.”

He said the service is determined to better their position after finishing fourth place in 2021.

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