NAN-S-12
Athletes
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Aug. 15, 2017 (NAN) The Delta Powerlifting Coach Jude Iduh, on Tuesday urged the Nigeria Parapowerlifting Federation (NPPF) to engage athletes with regular national competitions as build-up for major international Games.
Iduh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the championships should be targeted to apprise athletes that followed their training schedules religiously.
“Championships should be organised regularly to identify new talents, engage existing athletes and prepare them toward international tournaments, especially on their technical ability and competition rules.
“Our athletes are not getting the required support in terms of competitions to bring them at par with their international opponents which is the edge they sometimes have,’’ he said.
He appealed to the body to encourage state associations to coordinate themselves and come up with competitions schedules that should be zoned to give room for increased participation.
“Some states may not afford to organise competitions because of inadequate funds, but such can be possible if states under a can pull resources together to stage one,’’ he said.
The Lagos-based coach, who holds training in the National Stadium, Lagos, added that athletes had remained committed to training in spite of the ongoing renovation in the weightlifting gymnasium.
According to him, the athletes’ usually participate en masse in trainings holding in the open space where equipment has been moved due to renovation.
NAN reports that Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC., makers of Peak Milk, in June began the renovation of the dilapidated weightlifting gymnasium in the National Stadium, Lagos.
“The powerlifters have been consistent and are happier since we started training in the open because of the work going on the gymnasium, sponsored by Peak Milk Company.
“We hold our training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after which we take the athletes on moral talks, nothing has changed and everybody is happy because better days are coming,’’ he said.
NAN reports that men in Powerlifting compete lift in squat and bench press under the 49kg, 54kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg, 80kg, 88kg, 97kg, 107kg and +107kg categories.
The women compete in the 41kg, 45kg, 50kg, 55kg, 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 79kg, 86kg and +86kg divisions. (NAN)
MIL/ENN/PDE
===========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)