First indigenous Technical Director, Para-Power Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Ekeoma, in this brief encounter with DANIEL KANU, throws light into the exploits of the para-power athletes in the country and how supportive the Abia government has been.
What exactly is the level of power-lifting development in Nigeria?
You see, since the inception and inauguration of our board in 2010 when we attended our first international assignment at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, it’s well known that Nigeria Para-power Lifting Federation conquered the entire Commonwealth nation by winning all the laurels in para-powerlifting which has never been achieved by any Commonwealth nation. That feat is a good signal to development of para-power sports in Nigeria. We have been doing greatly and wonderfully to ensure that powerlifting becomes a domestic sport in Nigeria and in the world. So the sport is developing well and, if you ask me, the sport has also attracted good followership.
What can you say is the level of acceptability of the sport in the country so far?
The para-powerlifting game has become a household name in Nigeria. Even in the international scene, Nigeria is a nation to reckon with in the game. There is no way international para-powerlifting committee will be talking about the development of the game without talking about Nigeria; so it is widely accepted and recognised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and by Nigerians when it comes to games because, in Nigeria, we cannot go to any games without including power-lifting. It is the medal strength of Nigeria. We have always made the country proud through our great exploits.
But it appears it’s not popular.
Of course, it’s not common or popular like the football game or boxing, because when you are talking about para-sports, most people are still timid about it. But the more reasonable ones know the importance of sports and that of powerlifting in Nigeria and the world over. Nigerians have not come to embrace powerlifting and efforts of the Nigerian power-lifting team in the international scene. I wouldn’t argue much because power-lifting in Nigeria cannot be compared with football that has taken the centre stage. But all the same, when it comes to winning medals for the country, Nigeria can boast with its power-lifting team because we have never failed to win large laurels for the country.
What exactly are the plans to uplift the sports in Nigeria?
The plans are on-going. We are working tirelessly to improve power sports beyond belief. Power-lifting has to do with strength; so we are working on strength beyond belief, ensuring that Nigerians understand that we have enormous ability to move ahead of every situation beyond imagination. In power-lifting. We are proving that there is so much strength and ability in disability. We are working towards setting more new records and making sure that Nigeria remains on top.
There is always this reaction from the technical directors like you complaining of neglect, why?
You see, we are the most vulnerable, according to the United Nations report. So the vulnerability of our group has affected even our exploits that people look at us in charitable ways, not minding that we are forging ahead, not minding that we desire a good platform to launch out and showcase our talent. We are the custodians of Nigeria’s victory in the sporting world; so we need to be properly and effectively motivated.
What has Abia State government done to assist your group?
The truth is that the government of Abia State has been wonderful in terms of assistance and encouragement. I can add that it is not only on the sports sector because all other sectors are given good attention too. I do not think there is any sector you can say the government under Theodore Orji is neglecting. When you are talking about para-sports in Nigeria, Abia is the state you can never underrate; it is a state to reckon with.
In 2012 London Paralympic Games, Nigeria won five silver medals; out of the five, Abia produced three. The Ochendo administration has contributed enormously in para sport development. Orji is the only governor that knows the names of all the team players. During the reception of Team Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan in London, where the able-bodied people failed to bring back a single medal, it was only Ochendo in that had an overwhelming rousing welcome when he stepped on the podium, and Team Abia was excited and proud.
Ochendo has never failed to reckon with para sports in Abia. Abia athletes are the medal hopefuls. Ochendo has been supportive and you can see that other sports in the state, including football, are doing well. That shows that Ochendo has been supportive.
How has your group benefitted from Abia empowerment programmes?
Yes we have benefitted from the empowerment programmes of Ochendo. He has really tried to put smile on our faces. But like Oliver Twist, we want him or perhaps plead with him to do more for us. We want him to assist us in benefitting from the yellow cabs he has been distributing to Abia youths. We plead with him not to forget us. It was His Excellency (Orji) that kicked off the state’s reception of all the athletes that represented Nigeria.
Ochendo also received Team Nigeria and even the local officials that packaged the team to the national and international scene. He made sure they were rewarded.
I am the first indigenous technical director of para-powerlifting in Nigeria, and that in itself is a legacy to Orji who is widely acknowledged as a legacy governor. I plead with him not to forget us because we need to see him and tell him where to come in and assist us. We will not fail him in ensuring that we do more exploits for the state and Nigeria. Abia is already a reference point in sports development in Nigeria.