The President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, has charged the athletes representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship to win gold medals for the country.
The charge was contained in a statement by the Federation’s Media Officer; Mr. Amaechi Agbo on Wednesday.
The NWF President expressed delight over the commitment of the athletes, expressed gratitude to the National Sports Commission for their support and promised that the athletes would deliver the medals.
“I want to, on behalf of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation Board, thank you all for your commitment. Your athletes are wonderful and your coaches are doing an excellent job to put you in good shape for the championship. We have always excelled in this competition and at no time would we lower the standard, instead we will upgrade. Our mission here is to win gold and I urge you to go for gold. It is better you aim for the moon so that even if you miss it, you can hold onto the stars.
“Our coming here wouldn’t have been possible without the massive support of the National Sports Commission and we are pleased to have the Director General, Hon Bukola Olapade with us here. He has been with us since Sunday and we are honoured. The coming of the NSC is changing the face of sports in Nigeria,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has motivated the athletes and officials of Nigeria contingent with the sum of N 6.114 million.
The DG, who arrived Moka in Mauritius over the weekend, announced a personal donation of $3, 800 (N6.114 Million) to the athletes stressing that the gesture is his personal way of motivating the athletes and officials to know that the Commission is solidly behind them.
He made the donation during a meeting with the athletes, officials and some board members of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, (NWF) on Wednesday and encouraged the athletes to conquer the continent
“The Chairman of the Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko, is aware of your being here, so he sent me and told me that I should remind you that weightlifting is part of the sport that as a country, we have a competitive edge as far as Africa and the World is concerned. Therefore, you must try to win a lot of medals here in Mauritius.
“My slogan for you here in Mauritius is, more Gold, more money. As you are winning, you are getting your alert.
“I am also glad to inform you all that four of you have been shortlisted into the A Category of the Elite Programme of the Elite Athletes and Podium Board of the Commission and will get 20,000 dollars each as your annual training grants. And by next week, the four of you will get 5000 dollars each as part of your training grants instalment.
“Your welfare is very paramount to us and it is a core mandate of the Commission under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to prioritise the welfare and well-being of our Elite Athletes.
“With this, you guys can now concentrate on your preparations without any distractions for the Commonwealth Games, the World Championship and ultimately the Olympic Games,” he concluded.
The 2025 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship (ASWC) in Mauritius will officially commence on Thursday with four Nigeria athletes competing.
Didih Onome Omolola in 55kg and Lawal Rafiatu Folashade 59kg will be in action in the morning while Tuesday Emmanuel, featuring in 67kg and Umoafia Edidiong Joseph in 73kg will compete later.
Nigeria’s participation in the championship will be rounded off on Friday with Ayodele Ruth Imoleayo featuring in 64kg and Matthew Sarah Ovayioza competing in the 76kg women categories.
