Ruth Ogbeifo Balofin Community Project (ROBCOP) on Wednesday entered into a partnership with Kwara State College of Education to groom weightlifters in the tertiary institution and its environs.

The founder of ROBCOP, Ruth Ogbeifo Balofin (OLY) revealed that her priority is to ensure weightlifters are educated and train with the best equipments.

The Sydney 2000 silver medallist seeked for the collaboration of the state government, the sports council and management of the tertiary institution in ensuring the program becomes a success.

She said, “Today is a historic day because Ruth Ogbeifo Balofin Community Project (ROBCOP) is entering into a partnership with the College of Education in owning its training centre inside the school. We have a vision for all our weightlifters to become heroes and heroines as well as become educated.

“In the next four years, we hope to see some of these weightlifters bring glory to Kwara state and Nigeria at international championships. ROBCOP will provide the enabling environment and equipment for the weightlifters to train. For you to excel in the sport, you need consistent training”, she added.

“I cannot do it alone; a tree cannot make a forest and that is why I am seeking the collaboration of the state government, the sports council and management of the tertiary institution”.

While commending the initiator of the project, the Acting Provost of College of Education, Ilorin, Dr Jimoh Ayinla reiterated the college’s resolve to continue to support sports development in the institution.

Meanwhile, former commissioner for sports, Hameed Adio (OLY) while describing Ruth Ogbeifo Balofin as an icon and virtuous woman said that she won 63 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in her weightlifting career for Kwara and Nigeria including the Commonwealth and Olympics.

Charity Mind of Giving (CMOG) Foundation has received equipments worth 500,000 from an Indian family based in London.

Confirming the equipment, the founder of CMOG Foundation, Ruth Ogbeifo-Balofin told newsmen that the equipments donated were to encourage the orphans in their sewing skills.

Ogbeifo-Balofin who is an Olympic silver medallist revealed that Indian families were moved by the program the foundation has for orphans adding that they promised to key into the vision of the foundation

She said, “I can confirm that Charity Mind of Giving (CMOG) Foundation got equipments worth 500,000 from some Indian families in London who do not want their names disclosed. After our calls for partnerships from any individual(s) or companies, they decided to be part of our foundation by these kind gestures.

“When the families saw what we intended doing for orphans in Nigeria, they were moved by the mission and vision of CMOG. All the children at CMOG have been enrolled in schools and they return to their centre where they learn sewing skills”.

She called on well meaning individuals in the society to partner with CMOG Foundation in empowering orphans in Nigeria.

One of the beneficiaries of the equipments, Adedayo Khalid commended the families for their kind gestures despite the various foundations in Nigeria.

The 60 Nigerian Sports Icon took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

Ogbeifo-Balofin said despite winning laurels for the country at the World Weightlifting Championship, she went further to become the first African woman to win a medal in the weightlifting event at the Olympics.

She said, “I hold no grudge not been among the 60 Nigeria Sports Icon but it is painful that after spending 8 hours everyday while training, getting injured and recovering, becoming an All African Games Champion, African Champion, World Champion and Olympic Silver medallist, my country still did not deem it fit to recognize me among their sports Icon.

“For record purpose, I am not only I Champion in my sport, I have also produced African Games Champions in weightlifting through my Ruth Ogbeifo-Balofin Community Project (ROBCOP) in Offa, Kwara state.

“If my country does not honour me, I know God in heaven will honour me. Outside Nigeria, I get treated like a queen whenever they know I won a medal at the Olympics but in Nigeria, I will have to lobby to get things done.

The former World Champion said she will not get discouraged in impacting the lives of the less privileged athletes in Nigeria.

She said, “This award opened my eyes to so many things in the country. I will focus on how to impact positively in the lives of athletes who cannot afford to train outside the country. For record purposes, the equipment and facilities I bought for athletes in Nigeria is running to over 10 million naira.

“I know some day, people who will appreciate my efforts and sacrifices for Nigeria will come”.

Ruth Ogbeifo-Balofin lifted 245kg same as Colombian Maria Urrutia who won the gold medal because of her lower body weight at the 2000 Sydney Olympics

She missed the gold medal in the 75kg by the slightest of technical margins.