Sports
Sports Institute Urges NWF To Commence Preparation
A Weightlifting Instructor at the National Institute for Sports (NISports), Sefiyat Onubaye, has told the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) to commence preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympics without delay.
Onubaye told newsmen in Lagos on Saturday that the federation had to change the culture of late preparation toward major international events like the Olympics.
“We have the talents around us, what we need to do is to keep them together for three good years so that they can deliver the goods for the country.
“Such talents need proper handling and exposure to equip them with the necessary skills alongside their coaches,’’ she said.
She stressed that stakeholders would have to lend their support in equipping the athletes in the different weight categories, for them to train without let or hindrance.
“We have facilities like the halls and spaces for athletes to train but what we lack are modern Olympic standard equipment.
“When we prepare our athletes for international major events, we have to be conscious of the standard required for success, therefore, we must strive for the desired results,” she said.
The instructor advised weight-lifting coaches in the federation to constantly acquaint themselves with current trends in the sport for better performance.
Ezechukwu, one of the youngest members of the Nigerian contingent at the championship in Ghana, said her ambition was to win the 100m title in style and cap it with a new personal record.
The fresh secondary school graduate explained that she is fully focused on contributing to Team Nigeria’s medal hopes and is determined to deliver strong performances across her events.
“My main objective in Ghana is to clinch the 100m title and the 4×100m,” Ezechukwu told Tidesports source.
“Nigeria can be assured of my very best and my commitment to the Team. I would love to set a new personal best in Ghana, but anything that comes, I will take it. The spirit in the team is high, and I think we are ready to go,” she said.
Ezechukwu, who was part of Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay squad at the World Relays in Botswana, said the experience gained from that competition has strengthened her mindset heading into the continental championships.
She admitted that she learned valuable lessons from her previous outing, including a difficult moment during the relay where an early error affected the team’s rhythm, but said she has used the experience to improve her discipline and composure.
“The secret is just being disciplined, training hard and trusting my coach and believing in God, and the result will show,” she added.
The teenager is part of a 41-member Nigerian team comprising 24 female and 17 male athletes competing at the championships, which begin today at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Nigeria are expected to compete across multiple track and field events as they aim for a strong finish against the continent’s elite athletes.
Amusan arrives with an impressive record at the continental championships, having won five gold medals across individual and relay events.
She won the 100m and 4x100m relay titles at Asaba 2018, repeated the sprint hurdles and relay double at Mauritius 2022, and added another relay gold at Douala 2024.
She was, however, expected to challenge for a third 100m hurdles crown in Douala but did not compete in the individual event for personal reasons, instead featuring in the relay.
Liberia’s Ebony Morrison is the reigning champion in the women’s 100mH after setting a championship record of 12.7s, ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie and Madagascar’s Sidonie Fiadanantsoa.
Even though Amusan is expected to have an easy path to reclaiming the title, compatriots Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday will be in contention to challenge her.
Tabugbo is familiar with the championship stage, having previously placed fifth in the 100mH at Douala 2024 while also winning relay gold alongside Amusan.
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