Sports

Engr Habu Gumel National Open Weightlifting Championship Begins in Abuja on Sunday

Published

10 months ago

November 29, 2024

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, (NWF) has announced dates for the Engr. Habu Gumel National Open Weightlifting Championship.

According to a release by the federation on Friday, the three-day championship named after the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr Habu Gumel will commence on Sunday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024.

The open championship which is open to all the 36 states in the federation including the Federal Capital Territory will hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Each State is expected to present athletes in all the weightlifting categories in both male and female classics.

Athletes and officials are expected to arrive on Saturday ahead of the opening ceremony on Sunday. There will presentation of medals to winners in Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Total on the final day on Tuesday

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on the open championship, the President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) Dr Ibrahim Abdul (FCISM, OCP, CMC), said the championship which is open to all categories of lifters, is aimed at discovering new talents as well as preparing them for future engagements.

“It’s important that we start looking behind to pick and nurture talented lifters who will take over from the current ones. That is the essence of the national open championship. We want to discover new talents and incubate them for national glory. We have athletes right now who are in their prime, doing exceptionally well for the country but we felt that as a federation, there is the need for us to have a reservoir where we can nurture and groom the younger ones.

“The championship is open to all weightlifting associations in the 36 states and the FCT. We want everyone to participate. The recently concluded National Youth Games in Asaba was a stage for young athletes who displayed their potentials and the national open championship will give them added exposure as they continue to grow in the sport,”

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Sports

FAME Foundation to the World: Para Athletes Need Empowerment, Not Sympathy

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
The founder of FAME Foundation (Female Advocacy, Mentoring, and Empowerment), Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, has called on the global community to support, not pity, para athletes.

Speaking at the recently concluded Play the Game 2025 Conference held in Tampere, Finland, Atoyebi emphasized that athletes with physical challenges require empowerment, policy support, and inclusion not sympathy.

Aderonke, a fearless journalist and lifelong advocate for women and girls in sports, has consistently championed the rights of marginalized groups through her foundation.

Known for her bold and passionate advocacy, she reiterated that para athletes deserve the same opportunities and resources as their able-bodied counterparts.

The international conference, held from October 5th to 8th, brought together journalists, policymakers, and global stakeholders to discuss pressing issues under the theme: “Breaking Barriers in Sports: Integration of Marginalized Groups and Persons with Disabilities.”

Delivering a powerful and interactive lecture, Atoyebi stated: “I want to conclude by saying that para athletes around the globe need our support, policy reviews, and implementation—not our pity. They don’t need sympathy; what they truly need is empowerment.”

Her impactful contribution at the event further amplified Africa’s voice in the global call for inclusion, equality, and policy-driven change in the world of sports.

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