4th February, 2013
By Sunday Akintoye
Nigeria International Powerlifting Association, NIPA, has concluded plans to take powerlifting to higher institutions in the country.
President of the body, Moses Olakunle Akinsehinwa told P.M.News that they are making frantic effort to ensure that powerlifting is embraced by Nigerian students. He said his association has informed the relevant authorities about the importance of the sports to Nigerian youths.
“Our association has opened discussion with the Federal Ministry of Education and the management of some higher institutions in the country about our programme. We observed that over the years, powerlifting has not gained much ground in our institutions and this is the time we need to sell the sports to all our youths,” he said.
Akinsehinwa, who is the founder of the association, disclosed that they have 60 powerlifters who have joined the club since 2007, adding that some of the lifters who had won the NIPA’s past championships had been sent to USA to study Physical Health Education.
“Three of our powerlifters are currently studying in America. We want to thank our affiliated body 100percent Raw Powerlifting Federation in USA for being of good help to athletes throughout their stay in USA,” he said.
Akinsehinwa said the association sent nine powerlifters and 4 officials to Texas for a championship in 2010 and they came back with medals.