LAGOS – Enefiok Bassey, a power-lifting coach, on Tuesday decried the poor state of the training equipment at the gymnasium of the National Stadium, Lagos.
Bassey told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the state of the equipment at the gymnasium had prevented them from training.
The coach alleged that government had been insensitive to the plight of power-lifters for over 10 years.
“Since 1991 till date, when the Federal Government relocated to Abuja, there has not been any new equipment brought into the gymnasium.
“In spite of all our complaints to the appropriate quarters and media houses urging government to intervene, no response has been received.
“Imagine somebody who represents Nigeria in a competition still come here to train in the dark.
“These training equipment as you can see are obsolete and can injure athletes during training, thus they need urgent replacement,’’ he said.
“Nigeria is a shock absorber region where people absorb and manage any situation instead of being discouraged.
“I want to urge the media to continue to report on the issue and they should not relent on their efforts to bring to public knowledge our problems,” he said.
Bassey said that the modernisation of the gymnasium would not only promote sporting activities, but that it would encourage athletes to put in their best.
The coach, however, said that regardless of the neglect of the gymnasium, athletes had won laurels at national and international competitions.
Bassey appealed to government to come to their aid by providing them with electricity and restrooms where athletes could take their bath after training.
NAN report that the top coaches in weightlifting, started at the gymnasium since it remained the permanent one for weight lifters.
(NAN)
Power-lifting coach decries poor state of gym
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