NAN-S-6
Powerlifting
Lagos, May 4, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation on Thursday said it would intensify efforts to ensure that the country participated in the upcoming Powerlifting World Championships in Mexico in September.
The federation’s Secretary, Dayo Abulude, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the event was one of the major qualification requirements to participate in the 2020 Paralympics.
Abulude said the country was supposed to participate at the ongoing Powerlifting World Cup in Hungary but could not due to paucity of funds.
“If the 22 can qualify, we will be able to select the best 16 that can represent the country in Tokyo and that is the maximum number a country can feature in the Games.
“The championships in Mexico are a must for our athletes and we are doing everything possible to ensure that we take up to 22 athletes to the event.
“We have informed the sports ministry about the competition but government alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility, so, we have reached out to individuals for support.
“The ongoing competition in Hungary is also a qualification tournament for the 2020 Games but it is not as crucial as the upcoming one in Mexico,’’ he said.
The scribed added that athletes would be invited to camp soon ahead of the championships.
NAN reports that Nigeria won six gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the powerlifting event of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Editing by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)