Powerlifting takes step forward in Turkmenistan

The project was one of more than 30 from around the world that were successful in applying for support through the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee, the Agitos Foundation.

Turkmenistan have held the very first seminars for powerlifting referees and classifiers, following support received through the 2013 Agitos Foundation Grant Support Programme.

The aim is to develop the technical aspects of the sport in the country so that in the future there are enough resources and expertise to hold a national powerlifting competition that can be recognised by IPC Powerlifting.

Earlier on in March, 15 powerlifters, coaches and referees with experience of able-bodied lifting gathered in the capital Ashgabat to take part in the referees course. A group of medical professionals also attended the classifiers course.

The referees course was conducted by Mr. Azzam Sari Ali Al-Zubi from Jordan, IPC Powerlifting Head of Officiating, international referee category 1, and the classifiers course by Ms. Nor Azimah Bahauddin of Malaysia, an international powerlifting classifier.

Following the seminars, IPC Powerlifting reviewed the results of the examinations and 14 national referees and 9 national classifiers were awarded their status.

The project was one of more than 30 from around the world that were successful in applying for support through the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee, the Agitos Foundation.

Nearly 630,000 Euros was distributed to para-sport development projects through the 2013 Grant Support Programme.