Paralympics: We’ll retain our top spot- power-lifting official

The Nigeria Powerlifting Federation has assured Nigerians that it would maintain its excellent performance at the Paralympics when the Rio Games begin on Sept. 7.

The federation’s Technical Director, Samuel Ekeoma, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the country’s power-lifters have adequately prepared to make the country proud at the Games.

“We are ready for the Paralympics in terms of technical preparation, logistics is not our concern.

“They said the team will likely depart for Rio on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Our concern is for the country to take us to Brazil and there, we can make do with whatever we see to defend our fatherland. We have been in camp since May 29.

“We are going with 14 power-lifters; seven males and seven females and we don’t want to go there and spend the tax payers’ money.

“Nigeria has the best powerlifters in the world and our interest now is to retain that top spot no matter the number of medals it will take.

“We won a total of 12 medals comprising six gold, five silver and one bronze at the London 2012 Paralympics and we hope to surpass that,” Ekeoma said.

He noted that six new power-lifters out of the 14 that would represent the country were of the new generation since the old lifters were ageing.

Ekeoma said, “Some that participated in the London Olympics are no more there and we faced a little challenge trying to get their replacement but we have surmounted that.

“We tested them at the All Africa Games and their performances were very impressive”.

He pleaded with the National Olympics Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and other well-meaning Nigerians to give the team the support it needed to succeed.

Comments

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog