Olympics: NWF scribe urges weightlifers to excel

Onwumeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Lagos, that11 weightlifters would represent Nigeria at the championship, slated to hold from March 28 to April 1. She said that the 14-man contingent, consisting of 11 weightlifters and three coaches, would depart the country on March 26 for the qualifiers, aboard Kenya Airways. […]

Onwumeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Lagos, that11 weightlifters would represent Nigeria at the championship, slated to hold from March 28 to April 1.

She said that the 14-man contingent, consisting of 11 weightlifters and three coaches, would depart the country on March 26 for the qualifiers, aboard Kenya Airways.

“The weightlifters should be up and doing since the qualification ticket depends on how well they compete in Nairobi.

“ All eyes are on them because they are Africa’s champions,” Onwumeh said.

The secretary said she was optimistic that the weightlifters would perform well in Nairobi.

Onwumeh said that the 11 athletes on the trip were selected from 27 weightlifters, based on their “fantastic performances’’ at the Owerri camp.

“Out of the 27 weightlifters that were called, only 11 of them made it after spending a month in camp. We had to shortlist according to their performances.

“Now that the weightlifters have all got their shape and we have also identified the potentials for the qualifiers, I can say we will excel” she said.

NAN reports that the weightlifters include Hadiza Bakare, 75kg; Mariam Usman,75kg; and Felix Ekpo, 77kg