The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated Didih Omolola for winning gold in the women’s 53kg at the ongoing Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India.
This is coming after Ruth Asuquo won silver in the 48kg junior women category on Monday.
An elated NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, believes that with Onome’s golden lift, the floodgate of medals for Team Nigeria has been opened.
“This championship will serve as qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games next year, meaning that it’s imperative to excel, so as to earn the right to participate at the Games next year.
“It’s for this reason we ensured there is a dedicated budget line in the Appropriation Act to support this process, which was gratuitously approved by Mr. President.
“This has guaranteed some level of stability for the qualifiers and preparations for these major events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games well ahead of time, so there is no excuse this time.
“Weightlifting has always been our sport of comparative advantage, and we are expecting a harvest of gold medals beginning with Onome.
“We have been keeping tabs with the contingent in India and getting regular updates just like we do with all our contingents in international duties.
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“This same contingent finished top at the African Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius earlier this year, so they can be termed African champions,” he said.
Similarly, NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, expressed optimism that Team Nigeria will bring more glory in India.
“I was with this team in Mauritius when they won the African championships, and I can vouch for them.
“We have a generation of podium performers in the current weightlifting set-up, and the Commonwealth Championship is another platform for them to conquer the world,” he said.
The Commonwealth Senior, Junior, and Youth Weightlifting Championship is being held in India from August 20 to 30, 2025.
