Weightlifters Decry State Of Gymnasium

Some weightlifters at the weekend decried the poor state of the gymnasium at the National Stadium, Lagos, and implored the National Sports Commission (NSC) to rehabilitate the facility.

In separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, the weightlifters said that the state of disrepair of the gymnasium was adversely affecting their training.

Gladys Ezenwa (48kg) said that the state of the facilities was discouraging and a disincentive to the athletes.

Ezenwa said that a component of the weights, called babble, had become outdated and risky.

“The babble is bad, it even pulls off the iron rod when we drop it after lifting.

“We are putting our lives at risk by using those babbles; there is no toilet, water, light and even no source of ventilation, yet we train under this deplorable condition,’’ she said.

According to her, training at the gym during the raining season is also a nightmare as the whole place leaks.

“The broken floor also creates puddles when it rains,’’ Ezenwa said.

She noted that the bulk of Nigeria weightlifters, including past champions, were based in Lagos and that the gym needed to be upgraded.

Another weightlifter, Taiwo Olabanji (69kg), who corroborated what Ezenwa said, also complained of irregular competitions due to lack of sponsors.

“Competitions are major criteria for upgrading a weightlifter’s record because it’s an avenue to gain exposure and experience. But the opportunities are not realisable.

“The foundation has to be solid if we must produce good results, so the sports ministry should please come to our aid so that the sport will not die,’’ he said.

Olabanji said that some young athletes had been discouraged because of these problems, adding “some of us are still there because of the love and interest we have in the game’’.

Coach Obeh Johnson, however, urged the Minister of Sports and Chairman NSC, Ibrahim Bio, to fulfill the promise of rehabilitating the gymnasium that he made to athletes during his facility tour after assuming office.

“I am using this opportunity to remind the minister that the gymnasium needs urgent attention, especially with the rainy season; its really affecting the training of athletes.’’

Johnson said that two major international championships, the Youth Olympic in August and Commonwealth Games in October were around the corner and training should have started in earnest.

Bio was at the National Stadium and Games village in Lagos in April on a facility visit.