By Ime Bassey
Chief Coach of the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation, Patrick Bassey is optimistic that his two lifters going to the London Olympics will end the long wait of Olympic medals from the federation.

Coach Patrick told Sunday Vanguard Sports that the Owerri camp is bubbling and the lifters are in high spirirt and injury free.

“The three male and four female lifters in camp have be impressive. I am very confident and hopeful that they will translate the techniques taught here at the Games. What we are taking them through will be determined by the approaches of all other  athletes at the games,” said Coach Bassey

He further explained the reason behind the federation’s clinching of  two slots at the African Weightlifting qualifiers held in Kenya last month.

“This issue of  us not going to the Olympics with more lifters started after we did not attend the world Championship in Turkey in 2010. This is because points are accumulated from all World Championships after the end of every Olympics,” Coach Bassey added.