18th NSF: Rivers Coaches, Athletes Under Pressure

The Zonal Weightlifting Coach in charge of Abua-Odual Local Government Area, Rivers State, Oliver Toby has said that late camping of the state athletes has put coaches and athletes under intense pressure.

Toby, who is a former Commonwealth and African gold medalist in the 69kg category noted that camping of athletes for such, national competition was usually carried out in two phases and wondered why the state was yet to commence either the first or second phase of the exercise.

Speaking in a telephone interview with The Tidesports in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Commonwealth gold medalist insisted that the first phase of camping of state athletes was expected to have ended last month, while preparations for the second phase ought to have been in top gear by now.

He however, said that the state camping of athletes would not pose a threat for the state to top the list of gold medalists, especially of weightlifting.

Toby who told The Tidesports that his zone has commenced intensive training for the weightlifting ahead of the camping, as well as the National Sports Festival in Lagos later this year.

According to him, Simeon James, who is in the 69kg category for boys and Bright Out, is the 48kg category for girls would do the state proud during the camping and the competition proper.

He urged weightlifters in the state to take their training seriously considering the state government’s commitment towards development of sports in the state.

Isaac Nwankwo