NAN-S-1
Talents
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, March 2, 2018 (NAN) Queen Uboh,President, Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation (NPPF), on Friday pledged that the body would intensify efforts to discover budding grassroots talents who would replace ageing ones.
Uboh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the ageing athletes had represented the country creditably.
She called for improved welfare package for them in retirement.
Uboh also said that there was the need to attract more physically challenged persons to the sport.
“We will organise national competitions to discover budding talents, but in the process of doing that, our ageing athletes need recognition which can come in form of bailout.
”They have represented the country, and should be given all the necessary support to sustain them after their active sporting career.
“I know the task ahead is not easy financially, but we will start from somewhere by attracting support from notable Nigerians to achieve this,” she said.
Uboh, who was elected unopposed at a para- sports election held on Feb. 15 in Abuja, promised to take the sports to another level.
“I am in the federation to serve the athletes and coaches who are the main driving force of this sport.
”Nigeria is a force to reckon with in para-powerlifting, because of the past and present achievements of her athletes; my aim is to ensure we maintain that standard.”
She commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Friesland Campina Wamco, makers of Peak Milk, for ensuring the country’s participation in the just-concluded Fazza Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai.
NAN reports that Nigeria won four gold medals in the event which also served as qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Paul Kehinde broke his own world record of 220.5kg in the -65kg category set at the Mexico City World Championships in 2017 with a lift of 221kg.
Also, Folashade Oluwafemiayo cleared the bar at 146kg – one kilogramme increase from the mark she set in Mexico City in 2017 to win gold, while Roland Ezuruike and Esther Oyenma lifted 192kg and 125kg respectively in 54kg and 55kg categories. (NAN)
KOA/ERO/IGO
============
Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Ijeoma Popoola