As part of efforts to upscale the grassroots development of weightlifting in Lagos state and South-West region, a Board member of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) and South-West Weightlifting Zonal Chairman, Mr Aderemi Lasisi has donated a complete set of barbells to the Lagos State Weightlifting Association, LSWA.
Mr Lasisi made the donation on Friday, January 16, 2026 at the LSWA Secretariat, Mobolaji Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos in the presence of the Lagos State Sports Commission as well as board members of the association, athletes and coaches.
In his address, Mr Lasisi explained that the donation was part of his plans as the South-West zonal representative in the board of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) in championing the development of weightlifting in the zone. He added that the gesture which is expected to cover all the six states in the zone, could be extended to the other five zones across the country
“As part of my strategic plans for the South-West Weightlifting zone, I toured the six states in the region and discovered that they lacked equipment for effective training. One of my plans as the zonal chairman is to ensure that our coaches and athletes have equipment to make them be in top form. We are targeting South-west now but we may extend it to other regions. However, as they say, Charity begins at home. That is why we started from Lagos. The next state to benefit will be Oyo State then we move to other states in the region.
“The purpose of the donation is to equip and encourage the athletes and coaches to grow in the sport. We all know that a farmer cannot farm without implements. Most, if not all the states, have sports commissions and we hope they are going to see the need to support weightlifting because it is a multi-medal sport,” Mr Lasisi told NWF Media
The Chairman, who is also the Vice Chairman, Lagos State Weightlifting Association advised that the development of the game of weightlifting should not be left in the hands of government alone and called on individuals, administrators, corporate bodies to support in building the sport in Nigeria.
“As stakeholders in the sport, we should not rely on the government, we have to do our little best to upgrade the facilities and equipment. Weightlifting is not receiving as much attention as other sports like football and basketball. There is a need to assist the government in developing weightlifting as a key international sport.
“For a sport like weightlifting, where precision and consistency are crucial, quality equipment reduces the risk of injury and helps athletes develop strength, balance, and timing more effectively.”
In her speech, Director Technical, Lagos State Sports Commission, Ife Ogunlaja stated that the equipment would be instrumental in improving the performances of the weightlifters in the state and urged them to train more effectively and prepare for national and international championships.
The equipment which is a complete set of barbell include: 25kg, 20kg, 15kg, 10kg, 5kg, and 2.5kg of the weight plates, the bar, and collars.
