New African Weightlifting Record Holder Gets NSC’s Scholarship

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has awarded a scholarship to 18-year-old Chinenye Fidelis who broke the African and national  records in weightlifting in the 53kg category at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt last week.

The Technical Director, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), retired Navy Capt. Babatunde Adedimeji, made the disclosure yesterday

Fidelis lifted a total of 205kg to set the new records, breaking the 2009 record of 175kg set by Patience Lawal of Kwara.

“As a result of Chinenye’s outstanding performance, Patrick Ekeji, the Director General, NSC, decided to give her an automatic scholarship for her education,” he said.

Adedimeji said that the African and national record holder, who is currently in SS 2, would be sponsored through the rest of her education.

He also disclosed that a sum of N50,000 was presented to Fidelis’ coach.

Adedimeji, who is also an official of African Weightlifting Federation (WFA), said that the Akwa Ibom-born weightlifter was now rated as an elite athlete.

He said that the new African record set by the athlete would be considered by the federation and ratified by the WFA.

According to him, the federation will continue to strive to ensure that more talents are discovered, especially, at the National Sports Festival.