Power lifters hold National Open championship.

The National Professional Power lifting Association(NPAA) is set to hold its maiden edition of the National open powerlifting championship billed to take place from the 29th to 30th January 2005 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

Addressing journalist in Lagos on Wednesday, Secretary General of the association, Sangode Oladipupo said that twenty power lifters from the thirty-six states and FCT Abuja will convey in Lagos for the two-day championship in Lagos.

Oladipupo stressed that powerlifting is a sport which not only meant for the able-bodies but the disabled as well. "Most people believe that powerlifting is sport meant for the able bodies but it is so, because the disable has their speciality".

According to him,"it is a sport which requires strength and it is aimed at keeping our restive youth out of crime. Moreover, it is going to serve as an eye opener for powerlifters who have never participated in any competition".

He maintained that the athletes will vie for honour in three categories which is sub-divided into ten weight categories. The categories are Squatting, bed lift, and bench breast adding that the bed lifting is only meant for disabled power lifters.

The scribe of the association further stressed that Powerlifting will feature as a demonstration sports at the next Olympic games in 2008 which China will host and also at the Commonwealth games which comes up later in the year in Libya, although , it has 134 members which are affiliated to the international bodies.

Report Onyinye Anyanwu