Go Back To The Basics —Weightlifting Boss

Chairman of Lagos State Weightlifting Association, LSWA, Babatunde Adedimeji, says the only way Nigeria can make an impact at the world stage is for the government to focus on grassroots development.

The LSWA boss told P.M.Sports, that the government must provide modern training facilities at various Local Government Areas, LGAs, for the sport to develop in the country.

“The best way that the government can promote weightlifting in the country is to provide modern training equipment at all the LGAs in the country. This move will facilitate the training programmes of the lifters,” said Adedimeji.

He said: “Those who are not lifters but come around to watch training sessions may develop interest in the sport and become lifters as well. That’s why I said it very good for the government to concentrate on the grassroots.”

Adedimeji also suggested that the government needs to make tangible efforts to make the equipment affordable to the public.

“Government must find a way to subsidise the costs of these equipment so that they will not be beyond the reach of the public. The move will enhance the training of the lifters since they have these equipment at their fingertips,” added Adedimeji.

The LSWA boss further said that the welfare of the lifters must be paramount to the government, adding that weightlifting is a rigorous sport.

“What many people don’t know is that weightlifting requires a lot of physical effort. That’s why it is vital for a lifter to be medically fit and be watchful of his or her nutrition.

“Lifters must take care of themselves even if they are not injured because they make use of their tissues to carry steel. The fact that they come for training to lift steel means they need to replace these tissues,” concluded Adedimeji.

—Bimbo Ajayi