Best weightlifters to represent Nigeria in Maputo – Coach

Bassey told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the technical crew would resist pressure and “extraneous influences’’ in the selection of the weightlifters. The coach said that the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation (NWF) had organised national championships aimed at selecting weightlifters for the Games and other international assignments. NAN reports that no fewer […]

Bassey told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the technical crew would resist pressure and “extraneous influences’’ in the selection of the weightlifters.

The coach said that the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation (NWF) had organised national championships aimed at selecting weightlifters for the Games and other international assignments.

NAN reports that no fewer than 25 states and two clubs participated in the championships which ended on Friday at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Bassey said that the NWF technical crew would ensure the invitation of the best 45 weightlifters to camp.

“We will make sure that sentiment is avoided in short-listing lifters for camping, as some new lifters performed very well at the trials,” he added.

The coach explained that every weightlifter shortlisted for camping would be followed up by their state coaches pending commencement of closed camping.

He said that weightlifting had always being a sport to reckon with, saying “this year will not be different as we will do all humanly possible to continue to make the country proud’’.

“I must say that the lifters are in a competitive mood and showed their zeal during the trials.’’

Bassey, however, said that the selection of the weightlifters could pose a challenge for the technical crew because many of them were at their best at the trials.