Teenage weightlifter Devine Bernard has been rewarded with a scholarship after winning the first gold medal at the ongoing Abia State South-East Zonal Open Weightlifting Championship in Umuahia.
Bernard impressed at the championship by lifting 115kg in the 55kg category of the clean and jerk event to claim the gold medal ahead of Chimaobi Igwe of Anambra State and Nwokeoma Chukwuemeka of Imo State.
His impressive performance earned him a scholarship from the South-East Weightlifting Zonal Representative, High Chief Mayor Luke Ike, who pledged to support the young athlete’s education and development.
The scholarship donor, High Chief Ibe, a former weightlifter himself, promised to expose Bernard to greater opportunities and ensure that he receives the best possible education. He said the gesture was aimed at encouraging the young athlete to combine his sporting talent with academic excellence.
Declaring the competition open, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, reiterated the Abia State Government’s determination to continue investing in the development of young people through sports. He noted that the scholarship awarded to Bernard demonstrated how sporting talent could open doors to educational and other life-changing opportunities.
By Joseph Jacob