Emotional farewell for weightlifting coach

American weightlifting trainer, Dr Kyle Calhoum Pierce, who spent three months supervising a National Coaches Development Structure programme was last Sunday given an emotional farewell by the Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) at the Accra Stadium.

In a speech, the president of the GWF, Ben Nunoo Mensah, thanked Dr Pierce for training 30 coaches for the nation, as well as improving the records of all the members of the national weightlifting team, The Black Cranes.

“Before our brother Dr Pierce came we had only one qualified coach for the whole nation but now we have 30 new coaches and can send some to grow the sport in the regions.

“He has also improved the technique of our athletes, which has translated into better performances. In his time here every national lifter has improved, including Dora Afi Abotsi, who had seen no improvement for six years.”

In his address, a tearful Dr Pierce thanked the GWF and the newly-trained coaches for the wonderful experience in Ghana.

“I have had a great three months with the coaches and the lifters and sampling the various Ghanaian dishes. I hope to be back in the near future,” he added.

Dr Pierce was later named the Performance Director of the GWF, a role which entitles him to represent the nation at international weightlifting events.