2020 Paralympics Games: Federation demands two months close camping

September 07 17:33 2019 by The Ajasa News Print This Article

By Martin Odiete

The Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation has demanded for a two months close camping period ahead of their participation at the 2020 Paralympics Games.

President of the Federation, Queen Idris made this demand on Friday when she led her victorious Athletes at the 2019 Nur-Sultan IPC World Cup in Kazakhstan on a courtesy call to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare.

She noted that Nigeria Power liflters have the capacity to win up to 14 gold medals for Nigeria if they are exposed to the right camping period and environment. She boasted that the Nigeria Para Power lifters have been exposed to top class Power Para Lifting competitions which she said had given them enough experience to participate at the Tokyo Paralympics without  fear of  intimidation by any Athletes from any other country.

She informed the Minister that at the 2019 Nur-Sultan IPC World Cup in Kazakhstan, Nigeria presented 14 athletes winning three gold medals, four silvers and one bronze, with several of them breaking the world record. She said that apart from the winning of medals, Nigeria also brought home, Two giant trophies, which were for the 2^nd Place Women’s Team Trophy and the 2nd Place Team Trophy.

Queen also stated that with the performance of Nigeria at the Championship, Fourteen (14) Nigerian Athletes have so far qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games

The Para Powerlifting Federtion President went further to inform the Minister that she bided and got approval to host the International Invitational Powerlifting tournament in Lagos (Jan. 2019), revealing that the International Powerlifting Committee (IPC) has also awarded Nigeria the right to host 2020, 2021 and 2022 Para-Powerlifting World Cup at any city in Nigeria. 

She however maintained that the 2020 edition has been tagged by the  International Paralympic Committee (IPC) “2020 Road to Tokyo Paralympic”  Meaning that, so many countries are expected to participate at the event e.g. America, Britain, Canada, Mexico, Russia, African countries etc.

Responding, the excited Minister of Youth and Sports promised to ensure that the Nigeria Para-Powerlifters get the two months training period ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics.

He also promised that the medallist at the 2019 Nur-Sultan IPC World Cup in Kazakhstan will join the Athletes of the 12^th All Africa Games and players of the D’Tigresses that would be presented to president Muhammadu Buhari for recognition.