WEIGHTLIFTING Federation President, Chibudum Nwuche has thrown his weight behind new Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, but he wants the former lawmaker to prove his critics wrong by lifting reposition Nigerian sports.

Some critics have questioned the appointment of the former deputy chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, who they say is more of a lawmaker than a sports technocrat has.

However, Nwuche said, “Nigerians have overflogged the issue of technocracy and they have attached undue mysticism to it. What is a technocrat? Is it that you were a footballer before or you were an athlete before?

“What is required is the managerial skills and we should understand that most functions in this life first requires common sense.

“You must have common sense in abundance, you must have administrative skills, zeal, passion and integrity. That is why a lawmaker like Gbenga Elegbeleye would do well even without having seen his performance. I know that he will do well because as a lawmaker you do not underestimate people. Lawmakers interact with the public and lawmakers must be proactive.”

Nwuche advised Elegbeleye to ensure that he lived up to expectations of those, who made him the director general.

He added, “Elegbeleye has a responsibility and he has to discharge it properly with the fear of God. He must not fall into the trap of Nigerian officials that when they are appointed they become a very big man. He should remain humble in spite of apparent powers that he has.

“Power is ephemeral and he should ensure that he leaves a mark in the nation’s sports in general. Let it be known that someone like Elegbeleye came, lifted sports, was able to impact Nigerian spots positively, and put sports in a platform and stepping stone to greater height,” the Weightlifting boss charged.