Sports
NSC Hails Weighlifting Federation, Weightlifters, for Outstanding Medal Haul at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has praised the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation and Team Nigeria athletes for their sterling performances at the 30th Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India, where they have secured an impressive medal haul and further enhanced the country’s reputation on the global stage.
As of penultimate day of the Championship, Nigerian weightlifters amassed four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
Speaking on the achievement, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko noted that “to win medals, especially gold medals at this level takes a lot of preparation, sacrifice, and determination. Our athletes have shown the world that Nigeria remains a force to be reckoned with in weightlifting. Their success is a victory for our country, for every young aspiring athlete, and for the development of Nigerian sports as a whole.”
Significantly, all athletes who clinched gold medals have now automatically qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, underscoring the importance of these victories for both individual athletes and the nation at large.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, expressed pride in the team’s achievements, stressing that “weightlifting has always been one of our major strengths, but to continue to shine and hold our ground in such a tough competitive environment shows that our system is working. It proves that with the right support, investment, and vision, our athletes can dominate globally. The NSC is committed to sustaining this momentum, ensuring our athletes are well-prepared, well-supported, and positioned to bring even greater glory to Nigeria,” he said.
Among the standout performers, Islamiyat Yusuf delivered a flawless display in the women’s 69kg division. With a snatch of 105kg and a clean and jerk of 131kg, Yusuf produced a commanding total of 236kg to claim gold in style.
In the women’s 77kg category, Sarah Matthew demonstrated her rising talent by winning two gold medals in both the junior and senior classes. Her technically superb lifts of 108kg in the snatch and 128kg in the clean and jerk gave her an overall total of 236kg and solidified her growing reputation.
Omolola Onome claimed gold in the women’s 53kg and set new record in the process with a snatch of 90kg and a total of 197kg, both surpassing previous records.
The men’s 79kg category also brought a podium finish for Nigeria as Adedapo Adeleke Opadeji battled through intense competition to claim bronze, finishing behind Ajaya Babu of India and Malaysia’s Muhammad Erry Hidayat.
Joseph Edidiong Umoafia, reigning African Games champion, produced a near-flawless performance in the men’s 71kg event to secure silver with a total of 316kg, only narrowly missing gold by a single kilogram to India’s Ajith Narayana. Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele also held firm to earn bronze in the women’s 63kg, lifting a combined total of 212kg, while Ruth Asuquo Nyong won silver in the women’s 55kg.
The NSC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening grassroots development, technical support, and international exposure for athletes, ensuring that the current momentum is sustained and built upon ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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