The president of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Aladi Abdul, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for the timely approval and release of training grants for five elite Nigerian weightlifters.
This initiative aims to bolster preparations for upcoming international competitions.
In his statement, Dr. Abdul hailed the intervention as a reflection of effective leadership and goal-oriented governance. He commended President Tinubu for fostering an environment conducive to sports development and athlete welfare.
Furthermore, he praised NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade for translating the President’s vision for sports into tangible support for athletes.
The five beneficiaries of the training grants—Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, Onome Didih, Sarah Matthew, Edidiong Umoafia, and Joy Benedict—are pivotal to Nigeria’s weightlifting ambitions in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Dr. Abdul stated, “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.” He emphasised that the grants represent not just financial assistance but also a robust endorsement of Nigerian weightlifting and the potential of its athletes to succeed on the global stage.
As the NWF gears up for the African Senior Weightlifting Championship scheduled for May in Ismaili, Egypt, Dr. Abdul confirmed that this event will serve as the final qualification opportunity for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. He noted that three weightlifters—Sarah Matthew, Islamiyat Yusuf, and Onome Didih—have already secured their spots for the Commonwealth Games, but the championship in Egypt presents a chance to qualify additional athletes.
“We aim to compete in Edinburgh with more than three weightlifters and a stronger overall team,” Dr. Abdul asserted, reaffirming the NWF’s commitment to developing a formidable pool of athletes for continental and global competitions, in line with the Federal Government’s broader sports development agenda.
In a further demonstration of its commitment to grassroots sports, Dr. Abdul announced that the NWF will provide coaches and referees for the upcoming Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games, which will feature weightlifting among 16 sporting events. He remarked, “The Niger Delta Games presents a valuable platform for talent discovery and technical development.”
The NWF is dedicated to supporting the Games by ensuring high technical standards and contributing to the growth of weightlifting in the region.
