Sports

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

Published

1 week 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

Share on Facebook

Featured

Sports Minister Hands Over Leadership To Permanent Secretary

Published

9 hours ago

May 30, 2023

The Gleamer

The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has handed over the leadership of the Ministry to the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration ended on Monday.

At the Handing Over Ceremony held today at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve his Fatherland.

He stated that the appointment enabled him to have a better knowledge and understanding of the challenges of governance as well as that of the youth in particular, adding that it also afforded him with the opportunity to look out ways to profer solutions on complex issues in relation to governance.

Dare who stated further that the portfolio also afforded him the avenue to encourage Nigerian youth to take up sports as a career for the socio-economic development of the country, called on them to also support the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration for enhanced development of the sector.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar commended Mr. Sunday Dare for his laudable initiatives in the Ministry.

While thanking the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for creating an enabling environment for the sector to thrive, he pledged the support and cooperation of the staff and Management of the Ministry to the in coming Administration led by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Share on Facebook