Officials of the World Para Powerlifting led by Munkley Sam and Richardson Dillon yesterday arrived Nigeria for inspection of facilities for the 2019 World Para Powerlifting Championship.
The duo were received by the President of the Powerlifting Federation of Nigeria, Queen Uboh will be in Lagos until Friday, 7th of June to inspect proposed facilities and hotel accommodations for the WPPO championship that Nigeria is bidding to host.
Speaking on arrival, Munkley, who is the World Para Powerlifting Competition and Development Manager expressed optimism on arrival as he looks forward to a memorable stay.
Responding to journalists at the airport, he said, “It’s nice to be in Nigeria and we are so eager to listen to their bid and see what they have to offer after which we will submit our report.”
The host, Uboh said all arrangements have been put in place to impress the inspection team as they are poised to host the powerlifting world.
“The competition that Nigeria is ready to host is a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and we want to brighten the chances of our athletes to qualify in their numbers.”
Uboh said before she came on board as the President of the Para Powerlifting federation, the major complaints had been the inability of athletes to participate in qualifiers for major championships which she’s trying to correct.
“At the last Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, we only went with 6 athletes and won 4 gold and 2 silver medals, imagine if we had gone with more athletes, we would have won more medals.”
She said her board is determined to explore all available opportunities to see powerlifters enjoy the national and international recognition they deserve.
The inspection team will also be joined by Benatta Mohammed Salah (Algeria), Boudjema Rachid (Algeria), Ondengo Leonard Misigo (member, Kenya National Paralympic Committee), Ongondo Benard Odhiambo (Secretary, Cerebral Palsy Association of Kenya and member of International Paralympic Committee) who are also in Lagos for a 3 day course.
Others include the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission Governing Board, Dr Kweku Tandoh and Ogunade Babatunde.