10th September, 2013
Chairman of the Lagos State Weightlifting Association, Kunle Kool has expressed satisfaction with the level of performance of weightlifters at the second quarterly Inter Club grassroots championship which held recently at the Indoor Hall of Mobolaji Johnson Sports Center, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.
Kool told P.M.NEWS Sports that the tournament was a huge success as many lifters were discovered during the championship sponsored by Office of Grassroots Sports in conjunction with Lagos State Sports Ministry.
He disclosed that regular training and competitions will be organised for weightlifters that were discovered so as to keep them fit ahead of next year’s National Sports Festival and National Youth Games scheduled for December in Abuja.
“It was a good competition that really helped our weightlifters.I am happy that we have discovered more talents that will help the state in the future national competitions. If we can see more of this competition in the state, I strongly believe that Lagos will produce future champions in nearest future,” he said.
Meanwhile, four clubs took part in the championship as 40 weightlifters in both male and female category competed in the championship.
The athletes praised the association and thanked the Lagos State Government for organising the tournament and called on the association to organise more competitions before this year’s run out.
In another development, Lagos State Traditional Sports Association organised second quarter Inter Club Grassroots Championship as Pioneers Club and Golden Stars emerged champions in the male and female Abula competition respectively.
Pioneers club won the male tournament after beating Golden Stars club 2-1 in the pulsating finals decided at the sports arena of Lagos State Sports Council.
In the female final,Golden Stars Club came from behind and defeated Pioneers Club Girl 2-1.In Ayo Olopon, Segun Aiyedeun beat all comers to finish top in the competition.
Aiyedun was a delight to watch as he humbled Rasheed Akanbi 3-0. Idowu Ademola and Taiwo Idowu came third and fourth respectively in the male category.
In the female category,Omolara Tanmola defeated Atinuke Mohammed in the final while Tairat Oduyemi and Funmilola Olaleye came third and fourth respectively.
Speaking on the inter club championships, chairman of the association, Bashir Agusto expressed joy with turnout of clubs, participants and spectators who took part in the championship.
He said the association will organise more tournaments while thanking the Lagos state government for facilitating the inter club championships for all sporting associations of the state.
—Sunday Akintoye