NWF boss sure of slot in London 2012

By Ime Bassey

President of the Nigeria of Weightlifting Federation, NWF, Chimdi Ejiogu has disclosed that the federation would get at least two slots for the Olympics next year.

He made this to known to Sunday Vanguard Sports after the lifters returned from the World Weightlifting Championship held in Paris, France where the lifters performed well but did not win a medal.

He stated that the federation would also get more slots at the forthcoming Africa qualifiers in March next year depending on the continuous dominance of Nigeria, adding that the lifters would be called to camp in a fortnight from which will run through till the commencement of the Olympics

“The lifters performances were quite high as compared to the last championship two years ago and were able to close the point’s margin created by not competing in Turkey last year.

“With the lifters performance at the championship, I hope we will be able to get at least two slots to add to that of the Africa qualifiers slated for next year. The continental championship is more fierce as most of them couldn’t participate in the World Championship, so their hopes lie solely on the Africa qualifiers making it very tough to get through but we hope that we will, given our dominance.

“Besides, we have spoken to the National Sports Commission about our going with the complete number of lifters allocated for each category which they (NSC) have agreed. It is the last qualifiers for the Olympics and they won’t want to lose our representation,” Ejiogu said.

Asked if the form of the lifters will aid them in clinching the slots needed, he said, “Yes, I believe it would, given the preparation that would be added to their present state before the qualifiers. We intend to call them back to camp in the next two weeks,” Ejiogu added.