BY OGUNYEMI ELIZABETH MODUPE
The President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Aladi Abdul, has expressed profound appreciations to the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the approval and release of training grants for five elite Nigerian weightlifters as part of preparations for major international competitions.
Dr. Abdul described the intervention as a reflection of purposeful leadership and goal-driven governance, commending President Tinubu for creating an enabling environment where sports development and athlete welfare are receiving renewed national attention.
He also lauded the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Bukola Olopade, for translating the President’s vision for sports into actionable support for athletes.
The beneficiaries of the training grants are Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, Onome Didih, Sarah Matthew, Edidiong Umoafia, and Joy Benedict, all of whom are central to Nigeria’s weightlifting ambitions ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“We sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his purposeful leadership and clear commitment to repositioning Nigerian sports as a tool for national pride and global competitiveness,” Dr. Abdul said.
“His vision is being effectively driven through the National Sports Commission, and we are grateful to Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade for ensuring that this support reaches our athletes at the right time.”
“These training grants are not just financial assistance; they are a statement of belief in Nigerian weightlifting and in the potential of our athletes to excel on the world stage,” he added.
The NWF President confirmed that the federation is intensifying preparations ahead of the African Senior Weightlifting Championship scheduled for May in Ismaili, Egypt, which will serve as the final qualification event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games slated for Edinburgh, Scotland, in July 2026.
According to him, the championship represents a critical opportunity to increase Nigeria’s athlete quota for the Commonwealth Games.
“At present, three of our weightlifters — Sarah Matthew, Islamiyat Yusuf, and Onome Didih — have already qualified to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games,” Dr. Abdul disclosed.
“However, participation in the African Championship in Egypt will give us the opportunity to qualify additional athletes and ensure that Nigeria competes in Edinburgh with more than three weightlifters and a stronger overall team.”
Dr. Abdul reiterated that the NWF is working relentlessly to raise a formidable pool of athletes capable of competing successfully at continental and global championships, aligning with the broader national sports development agenda of the Federal Government.
In further demonstration of its commitment to grassroots and regional sports development, the NWF President also confirmed that the federation will deploy coaches and referees to the Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games, following a request by the organisers. Weightlifting is one of the 16 sporting events to be competed for at the Games.
“The Niger Delta Games presents a valuable platform for talent discovery and technical development,” he said.
“The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation is pleased to support the Games by providing qualified coaches and referees to ensure high technical standards and contribute meaningfully to the growth of weightlifting in the region.”
