Ghana hailed in weightlifting

Ghana has been praised by member Weightlifting Federations for participating in the 2015 International Weightlifting Congress and World Championships in Houston, Texas from November 17–28, 2015. Ghana Weightlifting Federation, amidst financial challenges, registered for the Congress.

It also registered two athletes for the World Championships, which also serves as qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Tunisia tops Africa’s representation with six athletes while Ghana beats South Africa, Cameroun, Nigeria and others in entries. Meanwhile, UK-based Ghanaian weightlifter Forester Osei has joined fast improving youth Christian Amoah at the Championships.

“Things are happening so fast for me and I am delighted to be at the World Championships representing Ghana. I feel so good to compete for Ghana,” Forester said on arrival at Houston.

Ghana will compete on November 24 and 25.

The GWF’s Technical consultant, Dr. Kyle Pierce, who is in Houston at the invitation of IWF, said Ghana is effectively managing the long-term plan for training the young weightlifters which were developed some months ago.

“Christian Amoah is a clear example and I wish him a smooth development. Christian Amoah is still going through the development stage. We brought him here to compete with seniors for exposure and see if Ghana can get a wild card qualification for the Rio Olympics, Ben Nunoo Mensah, Federation Head told journalists in Houston.

“We are focused and on course with our plans. We have developed infrastructure, invested in equipment and continued with talent identification and training. We will give the young ones exposure until they become champions. All we need is financial support from the corporate world. We are grateful to Houston-based Ghanaian business magnate Chris Wilmot for his support here. Ghana last competed in the World Weightlifting Championships in 2009.