Akwa Ibom-born weightlifting official Lawrence Iquaibom has been appointed as an International Technical Official (ITO) for the 2026 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Ningbo, China.
The competition will take place from October 27 to November 8, 2026, with Iquaibom emerging as the only Nigerian official selected for the global event.
The appointment marks another milestone in his international career and will be his fourth international assignment this year.
His previous assignments in 2026 include the Junior World Championships and Senior African Championships, both held in Egypt, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Iquaibom, a retired director in the Akwa Ibom State civil service, left Uyo for Lagos on Thursday, October 22, ahead of his trip to China.
In an interview with Edidiong Stephen before his departure, he thanked Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for supporting sports development in the state.
He also praised the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for his support and commitment to the growth of sports in Akwa Ibom.
Iquaibom said the support he had received from the state government through the Ministry of Sports had continued to encourage him to improve his skills and represent Nigeria at international competitions.
According to the competition schedule, appointed officials are expected to arrive in China on October 25, while the Technical Officials’ Meeting will hold on October 26.
The championships will begin on October 27, with officials expected to leave China on November 9 after the competition.
Iquaibom’s appointment highlights his growing experience in international weightlifting and the contribution of Akwa Ibom State to the development of sports officials in Nigeria.
