Three Salone Weightlifters are expected to represent the country in this year’s world weightlifting championship that will be held in Korea in the city of Seoul slated for November 17-29.
The National Coach of Weightlifting Sonny Johnson has disclosed to Awoko Sports that 172 countries will take part in the competition and all of these countries are members of the International Weightlifting Federation.
He also disclosed that this is the first time that Sierra Leone will participate in such a competition. This is expected to be an eye opener to the weightlifters who are determined and focused to change the image of Weightlifting in the country.
He also stated that this competition will also act as a means of qualification for the Olympic Games that will be hosted in England 2012.
Coach Johnson stated that more weightlifters should have represented the country in Korea if they should have had sponsorship “but it is not easy to have sponsorship. He appealed to companies, government and individuals to come on board to assist.
He also stated that if everything goes on as planned he and the three weightlifters will depart the shores of Sierra Leone by the 10th November this year.
He also revealed that by next month the three weightlifters who would be representing the country will be named and he will start intensive training and preparation with them ahead of the competition.
Sonny Johnson also revealed that Oceanal Weightlifting Federation (OWF) are planning to have training for all participating countries as a means of preparing them for the competition. But the organizers can only afford free accommodation transportation and feeding during the training period before heading for the competition. But because of funding Sierra Leone is expected to miss such opportunities as they cannot afford the tickets for the four man delegation. They have therefore decided to wait for the World championship.
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