Tokyo Olympics: Same old story for Team Nigeria

It has taken Team Nigeria ten days after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics began to win it’s first medal.

Blessing Oborududu made history to become the first Nigerian wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics when she won silver. This was followed by African Champion, Ese Brume who also won bronze in the long jump event.

As at the time of going to press, Nigeria languishes in 72nd position on the medals table.

Where can Team Nigeria win gold?

The only reliable hand is Funke Adekurounye. However, that hope was shattered when she lost her last 16 bout after leading 8-2 against Anastasia Nichita of Moldova.

It was hoped that the pressure on Funke won’t lead to an upset, but that has happened eventually. Countries that see sport as a serious business prepare for Olympics p to six years before. But that is not the case in Nigeria.

The athletes are left to train on their own for years. They only arrive in the camp a month to the tournament, yet are expected to perform magic. It is now becoming same of the same for Team Nigeria. One wonders why the same mistake is being repeated and the stakeholders expect results.

The only difference this time around in comparison to past competitions is that the government is hosting and promising athletes rewards if they win medals. But an athlete who is not fully fit or prepared for an event will end up fumbling on the world stage.

Kudos to the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare. He has been doing a lot in motivating and encouraging the athletes. Let’s hope he can do more to clean the clean the Augean stables

Read Also: Blessing Oborududu Breaks Nigeria’s Olympic Record

Another management nightmare from Team Nigeria

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s case was not also helped by the suspension of some athletes. Ten Nigerian athletes were suspended due to pre-tournament test issues. Otherwise the likes of Blessing Okagabare could have clinched medals in 100 meters, 200m meters and high jump.

The key requirement in Rule 15 of the National Federation Anti-Doping Obligations is that an athlete from a ‘Category A’ country must undergo at least three no-notice-out-of-competition tests (urine and blood) conducted no less than three weeks apart in the 10 months leading up to a major event.

This is another error on the part of the Nigerian administrators. Many of the top men of the federations are waiting for the largesse from the Olympics. Unfotunately, all the suspended athletes have now suffered for some people’s negligence.

Therefore, all the stakeholders should hold a summit to identify the challenges and how to navigate them in future. Federations need to prepare adequately years before major tournaments to make us and themselves proud. It is about time administrators are held responsible for the failings that seem to be the order of the day.