Tuesday 22 October 2013

2016 Olympics: Nigerian weightlifters begin preparations

Nigeria has commenced preparations for
participation in the weightlifting event at the
2016 Olympics scheduled to hold in Rio De
Janeiro, Brazil. This was disclosed Tuesday in Abuja by former
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
Chief Chibudom Nwuche, who is also the National
President of the Weightlifting Federation of
Nigeria.



Mariam Usman of Nigeria competes in the
women’s +75kg group A weightlifting event at
the Beijing University of Aeronautics and
Astronautics Gymnasium at the Olympic Games in
Beijing, China. Giving a deeper insight into the preparations,
Nwuche said the federation had successfully held
a national championship in Uyo, the Akwa-
IbomState capital, which attracted the
participation of over 20 states and clubs. He further stated that Nigerian weightlifters had
already reported to camp for participation in next
month’s Commonwealth Weightlifting
Championships holding in Malaysia. Said he: “We are confident Nigeria would excel at
the Championships and it would serve as a solid
build up for us ahead of the Glasgow 2014
Commonwealth Games. “ He further said that 32 weightlifters reported to
camp last Sunday as part of the preparations for
participation in the Glasgow games. Said he: “ We have taken adequate steps to make
the athletes comfortable as they train under the
watchful eyes of Coach Emmanuel Oshomah and
four others who were picked on the basis of
merit”. He further stated that the federation had drawn
up a code of conduct for the athletes adding that
“we have made it clear that there must be a high
level of discipline in camp as that is the only way
to get the best out of the athletes.” Nwuche also said that the federation would adopt
a very strict approach to the issue of doping and
drug abuse among the weightlifters adding that
the board had concluded plans to subject all the
athletes in camp to a test in a bid to ensure that
only clean athletes represent the nation. Said he : “ Doping test would be continuous. It
would take place before, during and after the
camping preceding next month’s
championships.” He said the weightlifters would proceed straight
to Malaysia for the championships after camping.
According to him: “selection for the
championships would be based only on merit;
that is to say on the performance of the athletes
during competitions.” He further said that the federation recently
relocated its secretariat from Lagos to Abuja
adding that its request for office space at the
National Stadium was given quick approval. He thanked the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji
Abdullahi and the Director-General of National
Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for
their support.

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