The Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, has commended Peak Milk, Nigeria’s No.1 milk brand from the stables of FrieslandCampina WAMCO for renovating the paralympians’ power-lifting gym in Lagos. The Minister gave this commendation during the handover ceremony of the renovated gym held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos Friday, January […]
via Nigeria’s Sports Minister Lauds Peak Milk for Renovated National Stadium Gym — newfanzoneblog
At a packed Rio Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kareem Waheed representing Nigeria emerged as the top contestant at the recently held AAU Championships on September 16, 2017. After months of hard physical training and preparation at his Magodo, Lagos-based gym, and a long trip from Nigeria to the USA, all of Kareem Waheed’s hard […]
At the AAU Powerlifting and Weightlifting Championship in Las Vegas, USA, held at Harrah’s Laughlin hotel and Casino, a yearly competition that admits elite powerlifting athletes across the world. Nigeria’s Kareem “Body” Waheed emerged the overall best in his category after competing with athletes from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The much-anticipated competition kicked […]
via Bet9ja Backs Nigerian Powerlifting Champion To Success In The USA — newfanzoneblog
As a result of representation by many clubs in the DStv Men’s and Zenith Bank Women’s League concerning financial challenges which led to only a few of them meeting the registration deadline a few days from the start of the new season, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, in consultation with their sponsors, Multichoice/DStv and Zenith Bank Plc respectively, has rescheduled the start of the DStv League from 13th to 20th March, 2015, while the Zenith League Phase 1 earlier slated for 15th – 25th March is now postponed until the third week of April (after the elections). Accordingly, a new game schedule will be issued.
The federation is confident that this development will afford teams the time to conclude all arrangements for the new season as well as afford all parties the opportunity to meet their obligations.
It was gathering of the finest powerlifters in Nigeria on Saturday as the 3 day “All Nigeria powerlifting Championship” organised by the Powerlifting federation of Nigeria in conjuction with Viju milk came to an end.
The final day witnessed the domination by Delta states athletes as they carted home 3 gold medal in the 59, 66 and 74 kg courtesy of the efforts of Tanimowo Rasaq, Oredugba Akinwale and Jubril Abubakar.
Alexander Agboola of the Nigeria Police Force showed that experience can never be bought as he attributed his victory in the 120kg to what he has learnt in his eleven years of participating in the sport.
Oluwaseun Fadesire of Lagos was impressive and made sure Lagos state smiled home with a gold medal as he coasted home to a sweet victory in the +120kg category.
Murtala Mohammed from Kwara State stunned participants and spectators as he lifted a combined weight of 710kg in squart, bench and deadlift to claim gold ahead of closest rival Ota Onuka from Abia state who lifted 640kg while Martins Olawale representing Lagos state settled for bronze after lifting 610kg.
Reacting after his gold medal feat, Alexander Agboola thanked the Nigerian Police for giving him the total support through the provision of a conducive environment to train which contributed immensely to his success.
The only black man to compete at the 2010 World championship in South Africa described this year’s competition as a huge success despite the total neglect from the National Sports Commission.
He concluded by going spiritual as he thanked God that finally the game has been included in the Olympic games which will make its debut in 2016 as he remains upbeat that it will rub off positively on their fortune in Nigeria.
“Thank God, International Olympics Committee has approved the sport for the Olympics, so what we have done today is a selection process for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
Speaking immediately after the competition, Abdulaziz Alli, president of the Nigeria Powerlifting Federation described it as a huge success which was far beyond the expectation of the federation and a big surprise to them too.
He said with the success recorded, we don’t have to stay and wait for National Sports Commission but hinted that after the event, a report will be written and sent to the apex sports body in Nigeria to plead their case and expressed optimism that “NSC will accept us and key into the vision of this new board.”
He further stated that, “Judging by what I saw throughout the competition, I will rate the athletes very high. Sincerely, I think they are ready to go, as you can see, it’s so competitive as they all came out to give their best and that’s what we were saying and looking for during and after the 3-day tournament.”
He hinted that “Hopefully by April next year, a bigger and better competition will be staged.”
All is now set for the “All Nigeria Powerlifting open championship” supported by Viju milk between the 11th and 13th of December at the Gymnasium hall of the National stadium, Surulere Lagos.
According to the Powerlifting federation of Nigeria, athletes have started arriving Lagos which is a good omen for the federation and they are really happy that things are turning out as planned despite some still on their way from other states for the 4th edition.
Current National champion in the 75 class category, Kareem Waheed Olayinka, expressed his happiness at the massive turnout.
“I know the turnout is very massive, because I have been seeing athletes from other states on ground, so the expectation is very high.”
“The 4th edition will be massive as we are all ready and everything is intact”
He confessed that it won’t just be a stroll in the park for any athletes because the stake will be very high since it’s going to be used in picking athletes for next year championships but was quick to fire a combo at prospective opponents that as far as the competition and his position is concerned, he’s not under any duress because this is what he does and he knows all it takes to be a powerlifter Speaking further, one of the pioneer member of the modern game in Nigeria waxed philosophical and said, “What we are is what we repeatedly do and success is not an art but habit.”
“I may sound overconfident but that is not true. I train everyday, I am prepared and I am fully on ground”
Adding his voice is Afolabi Frank Oshikalu who will be competing in the 95 class category hailed the effort of the PFN for being consistent and making efforts to develop the sport in Nigeria despite the total neglect from the Federal government through the National Sports Commission.
He said, “They are really trying, it is not about the money for now but the interest.”
“All the athletes are focused and are ready to give out their best.”
The 43 year old powerlifter expressed confidence that his experience and his high level of ecposure will be the tonic for his success.
“For me personally, I have no fear as I am used to this game because I have been doing this for over 10 years.”
“I have travelled to South Africa, Egypt and I have competed with foreigners with medals to show for my efforts.”
Secretary of the federation also assured that there will be maximum protection for participating athletes and also fans who will throng the venue to cheer their favourite contestants.
He also said the 3 day event will be well segmented and organised to forestall any technical difficulties.
“The sessions will be divided into 2 with the morning session starting around 10am to2pm while the afternoon session will be coming up an hour later to finish around 5pm or 6 depending on the event and the eventual turnout.”
Organisers of the 4th edition of the National powerlifting trials tagged “All Nigeria Powerlifting Championship” coming up between the 11th to 13th of December, inside the Gymnasium of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos have revealed their readiness to stage a world class event in their quest to reposition the sport in Nigeria.
The Powerlifting Federation of Nigeria speaking through its Secretary General, Ismaila Ademola Aderoju, said the competition was important since the sport has gained international recognition.
“First and foremost, at the last Olympics, Powerlifting attained Olympics games status, meaning that every powerlifting federation that are members of International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) are eligible to compete at the games and so, we are using this avenue to pick athletes to represent Nigeria at Rio 2016”
Speaking further, he lamented the postponement of the National Sports Festival but was quick to add that the postponement was a blessing in disguise as it will allow the powerlifting federation have more time to groom their athletes well before the NSF where the powerlifting will be included as an exhibition sport and they are poised to convince the National Sports Commission regarding the inclusion of powerlifting.
Aderoju revealed that next year will be a busy year for the federation as the World Championship will be hosted in the United States of America which calls for serious preparation.
He expressed optimism that this year’s edition will be bigger and better if the past 3 editions’ statistics are anything to go by.
“The 1st one, we had about 9 states, the 2nd increased to about 15 while the 3rd edition involved about 19 states and for this year’s edition, we are expecting about 26 states, clubs and individuals to come challenge for honours because that’s why it’s tagged ALL NIGERIA POWERLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP”
“We have 15 categories in powerlifting, 8 in the male category and 7 in the female category, so we are expecting close to 200 athletes to come and participate in the 3 day event.”
He concluded that participating athletes should not expect any form of financial remuneration in accordance with global practices for trials.
“Since we are using it to pick our athletes to represent the country, in accordance with global practices, winners will go home with certificates and medals but we may review that policy from the 5th edition and attach cash prizes in our quest to motivate and encourage our athletes.
We are using this competition to test the present state of our powerlifters because it’s been long we had a national competition that will bring together all the athletes and test their present conditions.
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