NWF invites 25 lifters, 6 coaches ahead Olympics qualifiers

FACED with the task of ensuring that the Nigerian flag is hoisted at the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics' weightlifting events in July, the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has invited 25 lifters and six coaches to camp ahead of the final African qualifiers holding in March in Nairobi, Kenya.With camping expected to resume tomorrow at the Newcastle Hotel in Owerri, the invitees expected to storm the camp include Rasaq Tanimono (56kg), King Kalu (56kg), Shola Fadodun (62kg), Akan Iyene Okon (69kg), David Adeyemo (69), Felix Ekpo (77kg), Salisu Yinusa (77kg) Ismaila Ajai (77kg), Abdulrahim Salihu (85kg) and Solomon Irabor (85kg).Others are Uloko Ben (94kg), Onyemobi Solomon (105kg), Ifeanyi Ikwuagu (105kg), Curtis Onaghinor (105kg) and Akeem Tijani (105kg). The female lifters are Augustina Nwokolo (48kg), Chinyere Fidelis (53kg), Rachel Ekoshoria (58), Margret Uwah (58), Obioma Okoli (63kg), Toyin Adesani (63), Ruth Kpokpola (75kg), Gloria Moses (75), Bilikis Otunla (75kg) and Mariam Usman (75kg).NWF Secretary General, Uche Onwume, said the lifters were selected on merit. According to her, they were picked based on their records to ensure the Nigerian team makes it to the Olympics.President of NWF, Chimdi Ejiogu, gave the NWF Technical Committee members kudos for the calibre of lifters selected for camping and tasked them to ensure that Nigeria was not disgraced in Kenya.Though Ejiogu stated that Nigeria might not get as many slots as it should due to the limited slot given to Africa, he, however, warned them to be up and doing as Nigeria, which has the reputation of being the best weightlifting country in Africa, cannot afford not to feature at the Games.The coaches are Patrick Bassey (chief coach), Adokwuru Paul, Luke Ibe, Chris Nwadeh, Victoria Omoruyi and Tina Omogbai.
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