Weightlifting Development Ranks High on NSC’s Priority List

Grassroots weightlifting development is expected to receive greater attention for  talent discovery.

The National Sports Commission made this known at the 1st Engineer Habu Gumel Weightlifting competition at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The NSC boss Mallam Shehu Dikko while speaking with journalists during the championship disclosed reasons behind the commission’s readiness to support the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, in the development of the sport in the country.

“Weightlifting is a sport that we have comparative advantage. So we will do all we can to enhance our chances in this sport. Grassroots development of this sport is key because we need regular supply of talents to replace ageing ones. We will do all we can to support you,” he said

Dikko also expressed optimism to see athletes who excelled in the national championship feature on bigger international stages.

“By 2028 I hope to see some of these weightlifters doing exploits at the Olympics,” he said.

Expressing delight at the Federation’s efforts to develop weightlifting in the country, Alhaji Dikko added, the Commission would support the NWF to actualise their set objectives.

“We at the NSC will do our best to partner with you to succeed. If the Federations succeed, we succeed, so we will do all we can to make you succeed. Hopefully we will make the next edition of this tournament much big,” the astute sports administrator stated.

The three-day Habu Gumel Weightlifting competition which held from 1-2 December 2024 saw athletes from different parts of the country compete for honours in Abuja.