Reactions have trailed the non inclusion of Nigeria para powerlifters in the recent world ranking list released by the International body.
The Secretary General of the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation, Oludayo Abulude attributed the exclusion to the country’s non participation in any tournament in 2017.
Abulude said the world records set by the Nigeria lifters still stands despite them missing in action.
“The current rankings you see is a reflection of those that participated in this year’s championship.”
“Despite not appearing in the World Para Powerlifting world Cup in Dubai last March and the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Eger, Hungary last May, our world records still remains intact” the federation scribe said.
The female National head coach of the Para Powerlifting Federation, Patience Igbiti in a telephone interview said a new circle started in February 2017 after the Paralympics games in Rio.
“Assuming Nigeria presented a team at these tournaments, I’m optimistic that our lifters would have appeared on the list. A lot of qualifiers have been going on since February and countries like Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast attends regularly and that is why they appeared on the latest ranking”, Igbiti disclosed.
2016 Paralympics bronze medallist, Innocent Nnamdi (-72kg) in the powerlifting event said the ranking is not good for the country adding that Nigeria possesses the best lifters in the world.
He pleaded with the country’s sports ministry to always sponsor the athletes to international tournaments.
