By Hananeel Jackson

Bayelsa State Weightlifters who distinguished themselves at the recently concluded National Open Weightlifting Championships in Jigawa have returned to warm welcome in Yenagoa, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Receiving the Weightlifters in his office, the Commissioner for Sport Development in Bayelsa State, Hon. Daniel Igali gave thumbs up to them for their outstanding achievements despite the constraints they experienced before their departure.

He charged athletes to always be passionate and dedicated rather than wait for monetary incentives before taking part in sporting competitions.

Hon. Igali described weightlifting as a multi medal winning sport in national, continental and global championships.

The Commissioner for Sport Development gave an assurance that their outstanding allowances and entitlements would be paid to them.

He urged the Sports men and women in the State to always compete clean by refraining from the use of performance enhancing drugs.

The Commissioner warned that the State Government would not condone any athlete who resort to cheating to win medals in tournaments

He stated that the athletes would be adequately supported to compete at the forthcoming National Sports Festival, Edo 2020 with a view to surpassing the performance of the State in previous editions.

The Director of Sports in the State Sports Council, Suoyo Lokoja represented by the Acting Secretary of the Council, Mrs. Catherine Sasuode thanked the Commissioner for Sport Development for creating the enabling environment for the Weightlifters to take part in the competition.

Also, the Head of Department, Organizing Mr. Braveman Wodi said the Weightlifters performance had given the Ministry an inkling into the areas of strength ahead of the forthcoming National Sports Festival.

In a remark, the Secretary of the Association, Omubo Dede said the Weightlifters would continue to do the State proud if given the necessary opportunities.

The Bayelsa State Weightlifters coached by Patrick Uba won a total of 6 medals comprising 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the National Open Weightlifting Championship in Jigawa State.

Lucky Joseph won 3 gold medals in clean and jerk and total while Esther Ezekiel had a silver medal in the 76kg snatch event, 1 bronze medal in clean and jerk and another bronze in the total event.