NAN-S-1
Para-Powerlifting
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 28, 2017 (NAN) Nigerian para-power lifters would depart for Mexico on Tuesday for the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) World Championships holding from Dec. 2 to Dec. 8.
Dayo Abulude, Secretary, Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation (NPPF), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that 11 athletes would represent Nigeria at the event.
Abulude said that the Nigerian athletes comprised of four men and seven women.
“God willing, our athletes will join other athletes around the world for the IPC World Championship which serves as one of the major qualification series for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“The team will depart by 9:45 p.m. Tuesday via South African Airline.
“I’m confident that the athletes will perform well in the championships, owing to their pedigree in the international realm,” he said.
NPPF President, Johnson Sulola, also told NAN that the athletes were fully prepared to rule the world again.
“We cannot afford to miss this competition because it is very vital for our participation for Tokyo 2020.
“We are Number One in the world and I know the athletes have put in more efforts to ensure that we rule the world again in Mexico,” he said.
Nigeria’s athletes for the championships include Yakubu Adesokan, Paul Kehinde, Roland Ezuruike and Innocent Nnamdi.
Others are Bose Omolayo, Sade Oluwafemi, Latifat Tijani, Lucy Ejike, Love line Obiji, Ndidi Nwosu and Olaitan Ibrahim.
NAN reports that the IPC World Championships, earlier scheduled for Sept. 30, was postponed following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico on Sept. 19, killing more than 155 people.
NAN also reports that about 1200 athletes from 89 countries are expected to take part in the championships. (NAN)
KOA/MO/WOJ
(Edited by Omolade M M/Wale Ojetimi)