Nigerian athletes competing at the 2025 Africa Weightlifting Championship in Mauritius have received a major financial boost, thanks to a personal donation from the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade. The DG generously contributed $3,800 to the athletes and officials of Team Nigeria.
Currently in Moka, Mauritius, to rally support and lift the spirits of the team, Hon. Olopade met with the athletes and officials of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation on Wednesday, where he delivered the encouraging news.
“I bring greetings from the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the father of sports in Nigeria,” Olopade began.
“He emphasized that weightlifting remains one of the sports where Nigeria holds a strong competitive advantage, both in Africa and globally. Therefore, you must strive to win as many medals as possible here in Mauritius.”
He added with enthusiasm, “My slogan for you here is simple: more gold, more money. As you win, your alerts will keep coming!”
In a further show of commitment, Olopade announced that four athletes had been selected for the prestigious ‘A’ Category of the Commission’s Elite Athletes and Podium Programme. Each of these athletes will receive $20,000 annually for training, with an immediate $5,000 installment to be disbursed next week.
“Your welfare is paramount to us,” Olopade stressed. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring the well-being of our elite athletes is a top priority.”
“With this support, you can now fully focus on your preparations for the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and ultimately, the Olympic Games,” he concluded.
Team Nigeria is currently represented by six athletes — four female and two male — at the championship in Moka, Mauritius.
