2025 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius, President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, has charged Team Nigeria athletes to aim for nothing less than gold. While addressing the team at their training base in Moka on Wednesday, Dr. Ibrahim lauded the athletes’ commitment and praised the coaches for their work. “Our mission here is to win gold… You should aim for the moon so that even if you miss it, you can hold onto the stars,” he said, according to a press release by federation media officer Mr. Amaechi Agbo.
Highlighting the Federation’s partnership with the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Ibrahim acknowledged the role of the Commission in supporting the team’s preparation and presence in Mauritius. He specifically appreciated the presence of the NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, whose visit he described as a “game changer” in Nigeria’s sports administration. The NWF President emphasized that the Federation would not lower its standards, but rather continue to aim higher in both local and continental competitions.
Meanwhile, in a major morale-boosting move, NSC DG Bukola Olopade announced a personal donation of ₦6.114 million (approximately $3,800) to the athletes and officials. During a closed-door meeting, he told the team, “My slogan for you here in Mauritius is, more Gold, more money. As you are winning, you are getting your alert.” He further revealed that four athletes had been shortlisted for the Elite Athlete Programme, each to receive $20,000 annually, with an initial $5,000 grant installment arriving next week.
As the championship kicks off Thursday, Nigeria will field six elite lifters, starting with Didih Onome Omolola (55kg) and Lawal Rafiatu Folashade (59kg) in the morning session. Later in the day, Tuesday Emmanuel (67kg) and Umoafia Edidiong Joseph (73kg) will compete. On Friday, Ayodele Ruth Imoleayo (64kg) and Matthew Sarah Ovayioza (76kg) will wrap up Team Nigeria’s campaign, with high expectations for podium finishes.
