Ndubueze Ochiedike, the national weightlifting coach, on Wednesday promised that Nigerian weightlifters would make the country proud at the upcoming 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Ochiedike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the athletes were in good form and ready for the games slated to hold from April 4 to April 15.
He said the athletes have had early preparations and this had made the athletes to be ready for the competition.
“When I say ready, the athletes are at their best. They are in top form and they will do well at the Games.
“I am assuring Nigerians that we will come out with a good number of medals, especially gold,” the coach said.
Ochiedike added that the camping was going on well and commended the Minister of Youths and Sports for providing the facilities and equipment for their training.
“We thank the Minister of Youths and Sports for starting early the camping programme and other preparations for the Games.
“We started camping in December, which is something very good for us.
“We have been here since Dec. 17. There were no Christmas and New Year celebrations for us. But we are happy because this has helped our preparations.
“The early camping is a very good development for the national sports federations and the ministry at large to prepare the athletes adequately for the Games.
“The athletes are responding very well, especially the ones that have already qualified, ” he said.
Ochiedike disclosed that 12 weightlifters were in camp, adding that some of them would however be dropped after the trials on Friday.
He said the trials would mark the end of the first phase of camping ahead of the Games.
“The numbers of athletes to be dropped will be determined by the ministry, and it will depend on the quota of those that will travel for the Games,” the coach said.
