Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
In a bid to ensure that Team Nigeria put up a successful performance at the 2012 London Summer Olympic and Paralympic games, the National Sports Commission (NSC), has presented two complete sets of Eleiko brand training equipment to the Para Power-lifting Federation.
Speaking at the equipment presentation in Abuja, the Technical Director of the federation, Samuel Ekeoma, said that the procurement of these facilities was a major boost to the aspirations of the lifters who over the years have been yearning to have them for both training and competitions.
According to him, the Federal Government and the management of the National Sports Commission led by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, have by this gesture, demonstrated commitment to sports development in Nigeria by ensuring that appropriate sports equipment are provided for excellent performance.
He therefore charged the athletes to make maximum use of the equipment and to reciprocate the Federal Government’s gesture by ensuring that they win medals at the Games and at every competition.
Secretary of the Para Power-lifting Federation, Mr. Dapo Akinyele, described the commissioning as a dream come true.
Akinyele stated that the procurement of the equipment by the government was a demonstration of its determination to ensure the growth of Para power-lifting in Nigeria.
The team is presently on a training tour of South Korea ahead of the Paralympic Games coming up immediately after the Olympics in London.