Weightlifting official makes appeal for equipment

Elijah Durosimi, the Technical Director of Lagos State Weightlifting Association, on Tuesday appealed to the Lagos State Sports Commission to assist the growth of the sport at the grassroots.

Durosimi made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos against the backdrop of inadequate equipment to train upcoming athletes effectively.

“It is very important to have standard and sufficient weights, babbles and platforms on ground because they are the basic equipment for conducting training at any level.

“Now, the availability of the equipment remains a problem in the bringing up of young athletes who must have a thorough training to succeed.

“Although, we have written to the sports authorities over the issue, this appeal is to remind them that we will appreciate a good and quick response,’’ he said.

He said that the foundation of upcoming athletes was crucial as the sport involved categories and different weights must be available to match the trainees accordingly.

The director said that the athletes were usually weighed before being apportioned weights to be lifted during training so as to avoid
wrong setting that might result to problems.

“Weightlifting has its guiding principles like other sports and we make sure that the upcoming ones are channelled in that direction in their developmental stages,’’ he said.

Durosimi noted that open training was available at the weightlifting gymnasium, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Row Park, Yaba on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday for all interested athletes.