Simon Onyezewe, an Enugu-based weightlifting coach, has called on the state government to pay more attention to the development of the sport ahead of the state teams’ participation in competitions.
The coach, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday, wondered why much attention was being given to football to the detriment of other sports.
He called on the state government to give weightlifting a lifeline by holding annual competitions to motivate upcoming weightlifters.
The Abia-born coach expressed disappointment at the declining involvement of the state government in the sport.
“Weightlifting is my hobby and I represented Abia state in national competitions and now I am retired. But I will be selfish if I allow the sport to die with all my experience,’’ Onyezewe said.
He also urged the government to broaden its support for the sport’s development to lift the standard of weightlifting.
The coach said it was regrettable that there had been no competitions held since he started handling young weightlifters in the state.
Onyezewe advised the state government to enure annual competitions are held in the sport, saying this would help to uplift the state’s status in weightlifting.
“This will encourage young talents to win laurels for the state at national sports festivals and other national competitions,’’ the coach said.
Source: NAN
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