2016 Olympics: Nigerian weightlifters

2016 Olympics: Nigerian weightlifters
begin preparations
on october 22, 2013 at 6:11 pm in sports
BY OKEY NDIRIBE
Nigeria has commenced preparations
for participation in the weightlifting event at the
2016 Olympics scheduled to hold in Rio De Janeiro,
Brazil.
This was disclosed Tuesday  in Abuja by former
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
Chief Chibudom Nwuche, who is also the National
President of the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria.
Mariam Usman of Nigeria competes in the women’s
+75kg group A weightlifting event at the Beijing
University of Aeronautics & Astronautics
Gymnasium at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Giving a deeper insight into the preparations,
Nwuche said the federation had successfully held a
national championship in Uyo, the Akwa-IbomState
capital, which attracted the participation of over 20
states and clubs.
He further stated that Nigerian weightlifters had
already reported to camp for participation in next
month’s Commonwealth Weightlifting
Championships holding in Malaysia.
Said he: “We are confident Nigeria would excel at
the Championships and it would serve as a solid
build up for us ahead of the Glasgow 2014
Commonwealth Games. “
He further said that 32 weightlifters reported to
camp  last Sunday as part of the preparations for
participation in the Glasgow games.
Said he: “ We have taken adequate steps to make
the athletes comfortable as they train under the
watchful eyes of Coach Emmanuel Oshomah and
four others who were picked on the basis of merit”.
He further stated that the federation had drawn up a
code of conduct for the athletes adding that “we
have made it clear that there must be a high level of
discipline in camp as that is the only way to get the
best out of the athletes.”
Nwuche also said that the federation would adopt a
very strict approach to the issue of doping and
drug abuse  among the weightlifters adding that the
board had concluded plans to subject all the
athletes in camp to a test in a bid to ensure that
only clean athletes represent the nation.
Said he : “ Doping test would be continuous. It would
take place before, during and after the camping
preceding next month’s championships.”
He said the weightlifters would proceed straight to
Malaysia for the championships after camping.
According to him: “selection for the championships
would be based only on merit; that is to say on the
performance of the athletes during competitions.”
He further said that the federation recently
relocated its secretariat from Lagos to Abuja adding
that its request for office space at the National
Stadium was given quick approval.
He thanked the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji
Abdullahi  and the Director-General of National
Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye for
their support.