Patience Igbiti is the only female coach in a team of 6 coaches and 23 athletes from Team Nigeria at this years Paralympic Games in Rio.
Patience was a successful powerlifter herself after winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Having studied at the Michael Imoudu College of physical Education Afuze, she went on to become the Head Coach at the Edo State Sports Council, Nigeria.
Patience has assured that the nation’s representatives at the paralympic powerlifting event will not disappoint the country.
Igbiti noted that the athletes are rather focused and will be targeting more medals, and also strive to retain their position as current world champions.
Coach Igbiti made this known to The AUTHORITY at the team’s training session yesterday at the package B, of the national stadium Abuja.
“We are set to give the country quality representation, improve on our medals and retain our place as world champions. We have been in camp since May 29th and we have been having serious trainings.
“With this early camping, and probably one or two foreign training tours, before the competition starts, I am sure our athletes are going to surpass their records at London 2012.
“I am not beating my chest, saying that we must be champions, as it takes the grace of God for one to succeed in any field of endeavor, so I urge Nigerians to continue praying for us, and by the grace of God victory shall be sure,” she concluded.
A total of 18 powerlifters comprising 9 males and 9 females are billed to represent the country at the games which starts from September 7th to 18th in the South American nation of Brazil.
It would be recalled that Nigeria won six gold, two silver, and five bronze from the sport, at the London 2012 Paralympics event.
