Power-lifting coach Feyisetan Are has lamented Nigeria’s inability to win more than one gold in the event at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
The only gold from power-lifting came from Folashade Oluwafemiayo in the women’s heavyweight. She lifted 155kg to win the gold and also set a new world record.
However, Are who was former national coach of the power-lifting team said this is a far cry from the country’s performance at the Games. In the last edition in Gold Coast, Australia, Nigeria won four gold medals.
“We won four gold medals at the last Games, but at Birmingham we came back with only one gold medal, what has happened, one one seems to care,” said Are who is now coaching in the USA.
“It is only in our country’s sports administration we can take decisions without thinking about the consequences and the effect it would have on the nation and its athletes.
“You can go back and check the records of power-lifting since the 2010 Games and compare to what we have now, are we supposed to improve on it or take steps backwards?
“I’m so concerned that is why I am making my opinion known. We have to study what we were doing before and let’s see what will happen to the power-lifting future.”
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