Lagos State Weightlifting Association has donated some equipment to the state’s athletes to improve the standard of the sport.
Speaking at the unveiling of the equipment at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, chairman, Lagos Weightlifting Association, Kunle Komolafe, said it would encourage more participation in the sport.
He said the board would continue to explore all avenues in ensuring the state’s athletes get better in weightlifting, adding that the equipment will create an enabling environment for male and female athletes in weightlifting to excel at major competitions.
“The gesture of the donation is borne out of the desire to see the athletes succeed in the game. The Federation is already reaping the benefits of quality equipment as attested to by Adijat Olarinoye’s feat at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she won gold for the country.
“With more equipment, Nigerian lifters can become world beaters in no distant future. The equipment will help accelerate the growth of weightlifting in Lagos State and by extension Nigeria,” Komolafe said.
Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Olarinoye commended the Lagos Weightlifting Association board members for donating the equipment, saying that it will spur the athletes to give their best at all times.
Also speaking at the event, Director General, Lagos Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, commended the association’s efforts in developing the sports in the state.
He called on other sports associations to emulate the weightlifting association’s contributions to ensure the state remains a destination for sports development in Africa.
Also at the event, Komolafe promised cash reward of N500, 000 to Olarinoye for the Birmingham 2022 gold medal feat and also promised to provide more equipment for the athletes soon.
