NWF Confident of Strong Commonwealth Games Showing as Weightlifters Land In Aberdeen

AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE 

The first batch of Team Nigeria’s weightlifting contingent has arrived safely in Aberdeen, Scotland, to begin the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games slated for Glasgow, Scotland.

The delegation, led by the Technical Director of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Sefiya Onubaye, touched down on Saturday morning and will immediately commence training as they intensify preparations for the Games, scheduled to hold from July 23 to August 2 in Scotland.

Expressing gratitude for the team’s safe arrival, Onubaye said the athletes would waste no time adapting to their new training environment and equipment.

“We thank God for bringing us safely to Aberdeen. The athletes are in good spirits and we will begin training almost immediately,” Onubaye told the NWF Media.

“This final camping phase is very important because it gives our lifters the opportunity to get used to the equipment and training conditions they will compete with at the Commonwealth Games. Our focus is to ensure every athlete is fully prepared and ready to perform at their best.”

The first batch of athletes that made the trip are: Didih Onome (Women’s 53kg), Rafiat Lawal (Women’s 58kg), Osijo Taiwo (Women’s 86kg), Favour Agboro (Men’s 65kg) and Edidiong Umoafia Joseph (Men’s 71kg), alongside Onubaye.

They will be joined in Aberdeen by Ruth Nyong Asuquo (Women’s 48kg), Ruth Ayodele (Women’s 63kg), Islamiyat Yusuf (Women’s 69kg), Opadeji Adedapo (Men’s 79kg) and coach Luke Ibe, completing Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games weightlifting squad of nine athletes and two coaches.

President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to make Nigeria proud, noting that the athletes had undergone a successful first phase of camping in Abuja before departing for Aberdeen, Scotland.

“I am confident that our weightlifters will represent Nigeria with distinction at the Commonwealth Games. They have worked extremely hard during the Abuja camping programme, and this overseas training camp will further sharpen their readiness for the competition,” Dr. Abdul said.

He also commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its unwavering support towards the team’s preparations.

“We sincerely appreciate the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for providing the enabling environment that made both the closed camping in Abuja and this foreign training tour possible.

“Their support has ensured our athletes have access to modern training facilities and equipment, which will greatly enhance their preparations for the Games,” he added.

Nigeria Weightlifters concluded their local camping programme on July 1, 2026, with the athletes arriving in Scotland in high spirits and determined to fine-tune their preparations ahead of another major international championship.