News

Disqualified officials in Nigeria

Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, has been disqualified from contesting for the presidency of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). The NOC Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Lagos after the executive committee meeting to screen those seeking election into the NOC board. The NOC election is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2009 in Dutse, Jigawa State. He said that the minister was disqualified for not meeting the statutory requirement for the position of the NOC president. Nezianya quoted article 26: 1:2 of the NOC to support Ndanusa's disqualification. The article says candidates for the position of the president must have served in an executive position or at the level of a commission of an International Federation or the Commonwealth Games Federation for a period of at least four years. He said that two of the four candidates for the position of the Secretary-General - rtd Navy Captain Babatunde Adedimeji and Prof. Olakitan De-Souza - were also disqualified. According to him, Adedimeji is disqualified for being on the executive board of the Africa Weightlifting Federation for just a year instead of the mandatory two years

World-Class Athletes to Compete in Hong Kong

An impressive list of world class athletes, inc;uding a number of Beijing Olympic Gold medallists, will compete in the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong from december 5-13. Among others the team from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea includes 2008 Olympic stars - women's 63 kg weightlifting gold medallist Pak Hyonsuk, 58 kg weightlifting bronze medallist O Jongae. The design of the EAG medals is unique with the intertwining of the leaves of the flowers representing the participating countries and regions to reflect the mission of the Games' host to bring different races together in Hong Kong. The size of the leaves is standardised to represent fair play and sportsmanship.

Criollo Cup results

2009 Criollo Cup results and the Criollo Youth 15 results Results_Youth_15_Criollo.doc

Job posting for coach in USA

USA Weightlifting has just finalized the attached job posting for a Resident Weightlifting Coach at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. We believe it may be of interest to many coaches.

Jang Mi-ran Sports Center

Seen here is a sports center in Goyang, built by the city government to honor Beijing Games weightlifting gold medalist Jang Mi-ran of South Korea. The structure was made public on Nov. 18 ahead of the world weightlifting championships in the city. (Photo courtesy of Goyang city

Queen’s Baton Relay Passes Through England

The Queen's Baton Relay which is an important part of the International preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi passed through England on its tour of the Commonwealth countries today and was handled by Weightlifters from the England Commonwealth Games Squad and the new BWLA President (and former 3 times Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winner Louis Martin M.B.E). The Baton arrived at the Queen Alexandria Stadium , Birmingham as part of its national tour before passing into the other Home Countries. It was displayed in various Birmingham schools and colleges before being brought to a packed Alexandria Stadium just after lunch time where it was met by a deputation from British Weightlifting's Team England along with Louis Martin M.B.E -their new President. Due to the unavailablility of our British Weightlifters' Association Chief Executive Steve Cannon , Dr. Chris Freebury the Chairman of England's Weightlifting Committee was there to meet it alongside Louis Martin M. B.E and two young Commonwealth Games hopefuls from the Midlands area- Hannah Powell (17) from Birmingham and Chris Freebury jnr.(20 ) from Derby. Hannah and Chris both gave a display of Weightlifting for the assembled crowd with a commentary from Sam Hayer who was England's Commonwealth Games Youth Coach in Puna, India. This was extremely well received and the young athletes were then asked to pass the Baton to members of British Gymnastics who also gave a short demonstration . Louis Martin M.B.E added a few words of his own and wished the athletes the very best of luck in their efforts and assured them that the Commonwealth Games was a very friendly affair . England are now in an advanced stage of preparations for the event having chosen a number of athletes to be included in a regular and structured series of training events at different venues throughout the country up to the competition itself. The final selection of athletes will take place on 26th June 2010 following the British Championships which will be held in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Dr. C.G. Freebury -Chairman England Weightlifting