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
Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish
Joel Ajayi
With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.
The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.
“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.
Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.
“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.
To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.
“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.
The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.
Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.
“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.
Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.
“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”
Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.
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