Nigerian lifters train here ahead of major competition back home |16 August 2012

Elvis Cara (62kg), David Adeyemo (69kg) and Michael Valentine (+105kg) are members of the Bayelsa State Weightlifting Association and are accompanied on the Seychelles trip by coach Anderson Beraebe and association secretary Omubo Dede.

Speaking to Sports Nation on Tuesday at the Freedom Square gym, Mr Dede said the lifters are happy with the training venue and equipment.

“Our boys are doing well. They follow two training sessions daily and they also get help from local lifters and the Seychelles coach,” said Dede.

“Everything’s well organised, the equipment is good. Everyone’s been very good to us and we hope to do well in the National Sports Festival in Lagos in November,” he said, adding that the exchange between the Bayelsa State Weightlifting Association and the Seychelles Weightlifting Association (SWA) started when she met SWA secretary Barbara Hoareau in South Africa.

Mr Dede, whose team leave tomorrow, said he is planning to organise a competition between the Bayelsa State Weightlifting Association and the SWA next year.

“By God’s grace we hope to come back to Seychelles next year. Not for a week, but for at least one or two months where we can organise training and competitions,” added Mr Dede, who described Seychelles as a peaceful place where one can walk freely.

Bayelsa State is a state in southern Nigeria in the core Niger Delta region, between Delta State and Rivers State. Its capital is Yenagoa.

G. G.