‘Nigeria sure of success at Singapore 2021 weightlifting qualifiers’

Former Olympian and a member of the board of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Lawrence Iquaibom, believes the country will put up a good performance at the Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Singapore in October.

Iquaibom told The Guardian shortly after the opening of the National Weightlifting Championship in Uyo that, “with hard work, our lifters will pick up enough slots for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“We will ensure that they do well. Singapore is very important being the qualifier for next year’s Commonwealth Games.”

He said the ongoing National Championship would provide the coaches opportunity to identify fresh talents for the national camp to compete with some of the established lifters in the various weight categories.

“The successful lifters called to camp would be prepared for the tasks ahead.

“It is in our plan that as soon as we finish this competition, we will bring the athletes together so that we can monitor their progress from there.”

Delighted at the performance of the lifters’ on the first day in the championship, Iquaibom said Nigeria’s performance in Singapore would surprise many other participating countries.

“We saw that Edidiong Umofia was able to set a new national record. It then means the purpose of this competition is well achieved. I am just praying that we have the same kind of performance on the final day,” he enthused.

The National Weightlifting Championship tagged “Champion of Champions” is a collaboration of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) and the Akwa Ibom State Government.