Federation Selects Lifters For African Tourney

Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, has selected 14 weightlifters and three coaches that will represent the country at the African Senior/Junior weightlifting Championship holding in Cape Town, South Africa from 8-15 October.

Nigerian contingent comprises 10 women and four men. The female lifters include Nkechi Opara (48kg), Augustina Nwoko (53kg), Commonwealth champion, Onyeka Azike (53kg), Rachael Ekoshiria (58kg) and Obioma Okoli (63kg).

Others are Blessing Ezealo (75kg), Hadiza Bakare (75kg) another Commonwealth champion, Obechi Joseph(+75kg), and Mariam Usman (+75kg),while Rasaq Tanimowo (56kg), Ben Uloko (65kg), David Adeyemo (69kg) and Felix Ekpo (77kg) are the male lifters.

The officials in the teaminclude President of the federation, Chimdi Ejiogu and its Secretary General Uche Onwumeh, while the head coach of the NWF, Patrick Bassey, Paul Adekwuru and Mike Ibeh complete the coaching list.

Meanwhile, Ejiogu is optimistic that the team will do well in South Africa after over two months of close camping and intensive training in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

He said the lifters were shortlisted on merit and appealed to Nigerians to pray for the team’s success in South Africa.