NWF calls for establishment of weightlifting academy

NWF secretary Uche Onwumeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that such an academy was expedient to further promote the development of the sport. “I think parents will allow their children to take part in the sport from a tender age, if such an institution is set up. “The country is […]

NWF secretary Uche Onwumeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that such an academy was expedient to further promote the development of the sport.

“I think parents will allow their children to take part in the sport from a tender age, if such an institution is set up.

“The country is blessed with abundant talents and the best way to further develop the sport is to get lifters from a very young age of 11 years,’’ she said.

The secretary said that the federation planned to embark on a “catch them young programme’’ targeted at children aged 11 years and above.

“If one should inquire from the best sportsmen and women in the world, you will be surprised that most of them started competing from their primary school days,” she said.

Onwumeh lauded the efforts of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in discovering and nurturing talents but said that more was expected of it to assist the athletes to stardom.