Two gold medallists at the 2018 National Sports Festival from the state of Osun, Olaitan Ibrahim and Muftau Abdulrasaq have assured Nigerians that they would do the country proud at the International para-powerlifting championship in Lagos.
The two NSF champion were among few athletes invited into Nigeria’s camp following their performances at the last year’s events in Abuja where they coasted home gold medals for the State of Omoluabi in their respective categories.
Speaking with newsmen from the Lagos camp, Olaitan, who is currently the second best powerlifter in the world in 67kg category promised to go a step further this time around, when the events begin on Tuesday.
_”I am pleased to be among the athletes that will represent Nigeria at this championship. You know in 2017, I came second behind Yujiao Tan of China but this time around, am looking forward to bagging a gold medal by the Grace of God”,_ said Olaitan.
In the male 76kg category, another Osun powerlifter, Muftau Abdulrasaq said he was battle ready for the world challenge even though this is his first participation in this championship.
Reacting, the immediate past Commissioner for Sports, Social Protection and Special Needs in the state of Osun, Comrade Biyi Odunlade and the Director of Sports, Coaching and Training at the Sports Council, Mr. Ademola Daini described the development as evidence of Osun Government’s investment in Sports and Youth Development by the present administration.
Comrade Odunlade and Mr Daini then charged Olaitan and Muftau to show to the world that Osun is blessed with talented athletes in every category of sports.
According to the President of Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation, Queen Uboh, the International Para Powerlifting championship which will hold between January 28-30 in Lagos serves as qualification for the 2020 Paralympics games in Tokyo.
