A total of 13 weightlifters will represent Nigeria at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana. The 13th African Games will be held from 8th to 23rd March, 2024 in three cities Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast.
www.aclsports.com reports that the weightlifters comprise of six men and seven women to be accompanied by four coaches.
The six men weightlifters are King Kalu (-55kg), Favour Agboro (-61kg), Edidiong Umoafia (-67kg), Desmond Akano (-96kg), Abayomi Adeyemi (-102kg) and Lucky Joseph (+109kg)
The seven women weightlifters are Morufat Folarin (-45kg), Adijat Olarinoye (-55kg), Rafiatu Lawal (-59kg), Ruth Ayodele (-64kg), Joy Ogbonne (-71kg), Taiwo Liadi (-76kg) and Mary Osijo (-87kg)
The coaches are Chris Nwadei, Emekna Ajai, Evelyn Okuofor and Patience Lawal.
2019 African Games champion, Rafiatu Lawal told www.aclsports.com that Nigeria will dominate the women’s weightlifting category at the Games.
She said, “The team does not see the North Africans as a threat at the Games. Nigeria is the giant of Africa in the women’s weightlifting event and we will continue to dominate for a long time.
When asked if she intends setting a new African Games Record, a modest Lawal said, “I have a Championship which serves as an Olympic Qualifiers coming up in Thailand. I am not going to stress myself at the African Games but the tone of the Games will determine my output”.
Commonwealth bronze medallist, Edidiong Umoafia (-67kg)told www.aclsports.com that the men lifters are ready for competition from other African countries.
Umoafia who is making his debut at the African Games said, “The lifters are prepared for the event and we are going to give our best. The weightlifting event is going to be very competitive and I hope to win gold medals for Nigeria.
