By Ime Bassey
President of the Nigeria of Weightlifting Federation, NWF, Chimdi Ejiogu has disclosed that the federation would get at least two slot 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 which 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 next year march depending on the continuous dominance of Nigeria.

However, he further said that the lifters would be called to camp in fortnight from today 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 but 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 slot 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 lies solely on the Africa qualifiers making it very though to get through but we hope that we will given our dominance.

“Besides, we have spoken to the National Sports Commission on us 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 at tournament will aid them 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 the lifters them back to camp in the next two weeks time,” Ejiogu added.