Aisha Buhari, First Lady of Nigeria, has unveiled the athletes that will compete in the 2020 World Para-Powerlifting World Cup being hosted in Abuja, early next year.
Aisha Buhari unveiled the athletes at an event which held at the State House on Wednesday, October 17, 2019, as well as the mascot and logo of the competition.
The Nigerian First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, noted that hosting the 2020 championship will be an enormous task, with para-lifters coming from Europe, the Americas and Africa to converge in Abuja.
Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo therefore, charged the organisers to put all hands on deck to ensure the success of the event.
A clothing line was also unveiled as a way to source revenue for retired athletes and the First Lady called for patronage, saying that it will help the athletes not to retire into poverty.
Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo vowed that “as an advocate for women, children and vulnerable groups, I will continue to champion their cause with all my strength.”
Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo also expressed gratitude to the Federation for naming the event after her and giving her the privilege of hosting the championships.
Meanwhile, Mrs Queen Uboh, President of the Nigeria Para Power Lifting Federation, in her address said the choice of the First Lady to host the event was deliberate, because of her commitment to the cause of the vulnerable Nigerians.
She said most of the team members are also female and will draw inspiration from her involvement.
Mrs Queen Uboh, further stated that as a result of the respect which Nigeria has in the world of para-lifting, the nation has secured an approval to host the global event for the next three years.
Mrs Queen Uboh, therefore, called on Nigerians to support the clothing line initiative which will usher in a new phase of life for retired athletes.
