19th November, 2012
The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has urged states association officials to arrive early for its proposed refresher course in the buildup to the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival (NSF).
Uche Onwumeh, the NWF’s Secretary, said that the programme is seeking to acquaint the body’s technical personnel with the officiating rules for the NSF.
“We decided to hold the refreshers course very close to the festival, so that all state’ technical officials would benefit from the programme,’’the secretary said.
According to her, the course was necessary to avert the application of obsolete rules at the NSF, by the officials.
Christopher Nwadei, the Chief Coach of Kogi State Weightlifting Association told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN that the refresher course was a timely programme to acquaint officials with the current trends in the sport.
Nwadei explained that new rules were applied at the 2012 London Olympic Games, which makes it mandatory for the NSF to adhere to the new rules.
“It is important to ensure that technical officials, particularly those that will officiate during the festival are acquainted with the rules to enable them officiate correctly,’’ he said.
He stressed that lifters are not allowed to use lubricant, oil, water, grease or talcum on their thighs; but could use chalk.
“This is a very vital issue in weightlifting, and officials must ensure that athletes abide with this procedure to avoid any form of setback during contest,’’ he said.
According to him, a total of 15 weight categories would be contested for, eight for the male and seven for the female category, adding that each category would involve different weight levels.He implored intending state association technical officials, to take advantage of the programme to enrich their knowledge on the current development in the sport.
NAN reports that the programme will hold before the commencement of the NSF, when most of the various states associations’ officials would have arrived Lagos for the NSF.