Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation has begun preparations to ensure a successful outing in the forthcoming World Powerlifting Championships.
The NPPF Secretary, Dayo Abulude, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos that lifters based in and outside Lagos were being supervised by the federation’s coaches.
Abulude said that the International Paralympics Committee-organised championships to hold in France from May 27 to May 30, would be part of qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
He said: “In addition to routine training, we are giving a lot of attention to preparation of lifters toward the championships.
“The Lagos-based lifters are training in the powerlifting gym of National Stadium under the Head Coach, Are Feyisetan, who just returned from the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
“Luke Ibeh is in charge of those in the East, while those in Abeokuta are under the supervision of Kemi Oyebode, and Arasi Arasi is handling our Ibadan-based lifters.
“This World Championships is a mandatory participation for us because the IPC is using it as part of its programme for qualification for the 2020 Paralympics.”
Abulude told NAN that the lifters would later be brought together to conclude preparations and confirm selection of those to represent Nigeria.
According to the secretary, the NPPF plans to go with a full team to the championships to increase the chances of lifters qualifying for available slots and slated categories.
He said that seven male and nine female lifters would be expected to make the team, while the selection would be determined by each lifter’s ability and form.
Abulude said: “The coaches are running their programmes accordingly; the idea is to keep the lifters on their toes, while necessary arrangements are on to invite them to camp for final selection.
“We are targeting slots in all the weight categories because it will do us a lot of good and increase our potential ahead of Paralympics in 2020.”
Abulude expressed the optimism that the NPPF would get the required support to accomplish its objectives in the forthcoming world championships.
NAN reports that Nigeria won nine medals, comprising four gold, three silver and two bronze, in the 2017 World Championships held in Mexico.
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