Itohan Ebireguesele Gets New Appointment in Edo State

Former Nigerian international weightlifter Itohan Ebireguesele has been appointed as a member of the Board of the Edo State Weightlifting Association.

The appointment was conveyed in a letter dated August 31, 2026, and signed by Mrs Agatha Odigie, Permanent Secretary, on behalf of the Edo State Sports Commission.

The Edo State Sports Commission said the appointment was based on Ebireguesele’s experience in competitive weightlifting and her commitment to sports development.

Ebireguesele is expected to bring her experience as a former international athlete to the administration and development of weightlifting in Edo State.

Her appointment is particularly notable given her record representing Nigeria at major Commonwealth competitions.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Ebireguesele won a silver medal in the women’s 69kg weightlifting event after recording a combined lift of 222kg — 100kg in the snatch and 122kg in the clean and jerk. Official competition records confirm that she finished behind Cameroon’s Marie Fegue, who won gold with 234kg.

She had previously won a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, making her one of Nigeria’s notable weightlifters on the Commonwealth stage.

What Her New Role Means

Ebireguesele’s new responsibility moves her from competing for Nigeria on the international stage to helping shape the development of athletes in Edo State.

Her experience could be useful in areas such as athlete preparation, talent identification, competition planning and mentoring of young weightlifters.

As a former elite competitor, she also has first-hand knowledge of the demands athletes face when progressing from local competitions to national and international events.

The appointment comes at a time when greater attention is being placed on grassroots sports development and the identification of young talents across Edo State.

Her inclusion on the board could therefore provide a link between the experience of athletes and the work of sports administrators.

From International Competition to Sports Administration

Ebireguesele’s competitive career includes two Commonwealth Games medals.

Her silver medal in Glasgow came after a 222kg total, with her official results showing a 100kg snatch and 122kg clean and jerk.

The International Weightlifting Federation also recorded her second-place finish at the 2014 Games, describing her 222kg total as enough for the silver medal.

She had also finished third in the 69kg category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

That international experience is now being brought into Edo’s sports administration.

The new board member is expected to contribute to efforts aimed at discovering promising weightlifters, improving athlete development and strengthening the structure of the sport across the state.

For young athletes coming through Edo’s weightlifting system, her experience could also provide an opportunity to learn from someone who has competed at one of the sport’s major international stages.

Ebireguesele’s appointment therefore marks a new chapter in a career that has taken her from representing Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games to taking on a role in developing the next generation of athletes in Edo State.