Abia State donates weightlifting equipment for regional championship

The Abia State Government has donated international-standard weightlifting equipment, including barbells and weight plates, to the Abia State Sports Council. The donation aims to support training and competition for athletes representing the state.

The equipment unveiling coincided with the commencement of the first edition of the Abia State South-East Zonal Open Weightlifting Championship at the Umuahia Township Stadium Indoor Sports Hall. The competition features weightlifters from five South-East states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

During the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Ananaba Nwaobilor, representing Governor Alex Otti, stated that the championship is a deliberate investment in youth to identify talent for regional and national competitions. The state government emphasized that sports development serves as a tool for character building and opportunity creation.

In the early stages of the championship, Abia's Divine Bernard secured the first gold medal by lifting 115kg in the 55kg category of the clean and jerk event.