As 2024 draws to a close, Charles Ezenwane, President of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation, reflects on the year with pride and a sense of cautious optimism.
Ezenwane told www.aclsports.com that the Federation had a moderately successful year, marked by both triumphs and valuable lessons.
He revealed that para powerlifting has made strides in positioning itself as a powerful force in the world.
“I would rate 2024 as a moderately successful year. Despite some challenges, we’ve had notable successes. Our athletes performed admirably on the international stage, securing medals and proving that they can compete with the best.
“We also hosted some successful national championships, which helped raise awareness about para-powerlifting in Nigeria”, he said.
Ezenwane points out that there were areas where the Federation could have done better.
“If I’m being honest, I think we could have invested more in grassroots development and talent identification. While we had success at the elite level, there’s so much untapped potential at the younger age groups that we need to reach. Expanding our reach to more states and regions should have been a priority,” he admits.
Another aspect that Ezenwane feels could have been approached differently was securing sponsorships and partnerships.
“Our programs and activities rely heavily on external support, and we could have been more proactive in forging partnerships to strengthen our resources. That’s something we’ll focus on in the coming years.”
Reflecting on the Federation’s targets in 2024, Ezenwane acknowledges that, although progress was made, the ultimate goals were not fully realized.
“We set ambitious targets, winning a specific number of medals at international competitions and increasing our membership base. We achieved around 70-80% of our goals, which is progress, but there’s still a lot of work to do. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re committed to getting there.”
As 2025 approaches, Charles Ezenwane’s optimism for the future of the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation is palpable.
“Our expectations for 2025 are high,” he asserts. We’re going to build on the progress we made in 2024 and aim for even greater success. Our target is to secure more medals at international competitions, particularly at the Paralympic Games, where we believe our athletes can truly shine.”
“We’re committed to reaching more athletes and encouraging young people across the country to get involved in para-powerlifting. It’s all about building a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future,” Ezenwane explains.
“The support of sponsors is critical for the long-term growth of the Federation. We are determined to secure more backing to ensure that our athletes have the resources they need to succeed,” he said.
