By Meleltus EZE
The Vice-President of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation (NPPF), Ruel Ishaku, on Friday said the federation would select its best 40 power lifters for January’s World Championships at the upcoming National Sports Festival (NSF).
Ishaku said in Abuja that the 2018 NSF would serve as a ground to raise a team for the country to the international event.
The 2018 NSF, which is the event’s 19th edition, is billed for Dec. 6 to Dec. 16 in Abuja.
Ishaku said further that no fewer than 20 young powerlifters would also join the 40 elite lifters in a closed camp in preparation for the championships.
“We want young powerlifters to be part of the world event. We want to groom them quickly, because some of the senior athletes may retire after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“Nigeria is a force in this sport and we don’t want to leave a gap when the aged ones step down.
“Some of the young athletes have been selected from the concluded National Youth Games in Ilorin, while others will be picked from the NSF,’’he said.
