All roads lead to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Thursday, where Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari will host the first major activity leading to next year’s Para Power-lifting World Cup, to be held in Abuja.
Dignitaries expected to join the First Lady, the Chief Host, at the unveiling of the tournament’s Main Organising Committee include: Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello; and Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, all of who are Special Guests of Honour.
Also expected at the event that will mark the launch of the Games’ logo, mascot, e-Sport app and sports wares are the Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume; Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Managing Director FrieslandCampina WAMPCO Nigeria, Mr Ben Langat; and his counterpart at Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo.
According to Queen Idris, President of the Nigeria Para Power-lifting Federation, other dignitaries to witness the event at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa include the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Hajia Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; Minister of State for Transport, Senator Gbemisola Saraki; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Hon. Timipre Sylva.
The Main Organising Committee for Abuja 2020 World Cup, headed by the First Lady, Mrs Buhari, will oversee the programmes of Abuja 2020 Para Power-lifting World Cup to be held in the Federal Capital Territory between February 5 and February 7, 2020.
The Federation President explained that the Nigerian First Lady agreed to event in demonstration of her passion for the less privileged and physically challenged “as exemplified by her pet project, Future Assured.
Nigeria’s para power-lifters, well known as The Unstoppables, had achieved incredible feats in global competitions. With only 11 athletes at the 2017 World Championship in Mexico City, the contingent returned home with six gold and three bronze medals. At the African Para Powerlifting Championship in Algeria, last year, Nigeria won 11 gold and two silver medals.
Three months ago, at the World Para Power-lifting Championship in Nur Sultan, Team Nigeria, with a contingent of 14 athletes, won three gold, three silver and two bronze medals. In addition, each of the gold medalists established a world record in their categories.
