Massive attendance at World Weightlifting Championship

William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Doha, Qatar. (Courtesy Black Panther Energy Drink and Fly Emirates)

Doha, Nov 11, GNA - The 74th Men and 17th Women Centennial World Weightlifting Championship has been characterised by a massive attendance far above the expectations of the host nation, Qatar. Over 80 countries with 950 guests that includes weightlifters, technical crew and officials, referees and judges, other stakeholders and journalists have invaded the Qatari, capital Doha to participate in the Centennial event.

A Member of the Local Organising Committee, (LOC) Marone Amadou said they expected less than the number because the championship was not serving as qualifiers for the next Olympic Games in Beinjing China. According to him, the LOC was therefore surprised to receive over 80 countries, which included ten African countries arriving in Qatar to participate in the event.

Among the African countries participating in the championship are Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya.

Despite the surprise patronage, the LOC has been efficient in handling the situation as it has managed to make the needed arrangements for all participants.

Amadou said the success of the event has been made possible by the Qatari Weightlifting and Body Building Federation as they have provided the needed funding for hosting the event. The attendance has been described as one of the biggest, even though the championship would not be used as qualifiers to the next Olympic games.

It is therefore expected that based on this, the Dominican Republic is expected to witness huge attendance as they host the next World Championship in 2006.