Nigeria Weightlifting Federation Needs ₦100M for Competitions

Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, the President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), announced that the federation requires over ₦100 million to send a team of five or six athletes to a single international competition. This statement was made during the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC)/Olympic Solidarity Seminar on Good Governance for national sports federation presidents in Abuja.

Ibrahim highlighted that the high costs associated with international qualifiers pose significant challenges as Nigeria prepares for the next Olympic Games. He noted that weightlifting athletes must participate in five compulsory qualifiers located in various countries, including Qatar, Peru, Thailand, and Uzbekistan, making funding critical for Nigeria's qualification hopes.

The financial burden includes transportation, accommodation, entry fees, and other charges. Despite these challenges, Ibrahim expressed confidence in the hard work and teamwork of Nigeria's athletes and coaches.

He also acknowledged the difficulties faced by athletes in northern states due to insecurity, which has disrupted regular training programs.