ITANAGAR, Nov 13: State’s weightlifting pioneer Abraham K Techi would be leading a 15-member Indian team as manager to take part in World Weightlifting Championship-2017 slated at Los Angeles, USA during November 26 to December 5.
State Information Commissioner Techi, who was appointed as international referee in 2013, has been invited by World Weightlifting Federation (WWF) to the event to be conducted by American Weightlifting Federation.
Weightlifting power house Russia along with Belarus and Kazakhstan were banned by WWF and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) during Rio Olympics in August 2016 which has given greater hopes for Indian weightlifters to exhibit their talents to win laurels for the nation while flying Indian tri-colour high, added Abraham.
Founder of Arunachal Weightlifting Association (AWA) and also Arunachal Bodybuilding Association (ABBA), Techi was elected as Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) vice president for second consecutive term by its general body meeting at New Delhi on October 30 last. He had earlier served as IWF joint secretary.
In fact, AWA with Daniel Teli as general secretary has been winning international and ABBA national laurels under his guidance though the state lack adequate training facilitates and qualified coaches, unlike many other nations doing exceedingly well for total Govt. support.
Meanwhile, the IWF has applauded the Arunachal Pradesh Govt. for conferring state award (gold medal) on chief weightlifting coach Vijay Sharma, which is recognition to the unique sports. Sharma has been credited with producing many national and international weightlifters of reputation while coaching against all odds, he said.
