Sports

The Olympics: A Stand Up Call For Nigeria

Published

14 years ago

August 6, 2012

As the Nigerian contingent to the London 2012 looks to be running out of chances for medals at the Olympics Game, the usual refrain of going back to the drawing board may be in the offing.

The Olympics Game is a major and very popular international world event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympics Games are considered to be the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate. The Games are currently held biennially, with Summer and Winter Olympics Games alternating, meaning they occur every four years within their respective seasonal games. The Olympics games originated from ancient Greece. Some aims of the Olympics Games are to bring about peace, unity, and also gender equality in sports. The Olympics games has served as a major boost for countries hosting it.

Countries are expected to partake in qualification rounds in order to qualify for various events at the games. Qualification is not automatic. Nigeria, a country with over 150 million citizens has been participating in the Olympics games since 1952 when it made its maiden appearance. And since then Nigeria has been participating at all Olympic events except for the 1976 edition of the Olympics held at Montreal in Quebec, Canada. Nigeria boycotted the games and refused to send a team to the games. The 1996 Atlanta Olympics was the best team Nigeria had ever gotten, winning two gold medals at the event. Nigeria became the first African nation to win an Olympic gold medal in football. Since then the performance of team Nigeria has fallen. It is shameful to sy that Nigeria has won a total of two gold medals only, since it started featuring at the Olympic games in 1952.

The 30th Olympic games tagged London 2012 kicked off on the 28th of July 2012. The games have over 29 sport events to be played. Some of the sports event at the ongoing Olympic are: archery, athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, canoeing, diving, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting.

Team Nigeria is participating at the ongoing Olympic event and much is expected from them, but from the look of things Nigeria may not make impact at the Games. Nigeria has selected 62 participants who will compete in 9 sports including judo, athletics, basketball, and table tennis at the event. So far, Team Nigeria is yet to win any medal. Before team Nigeria left the shores of the country for preparation for the event, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Engineer Sani Ndanusa had said that the target of Nigeria was to get at least two gold medals at the event. He went further to say that “in the past Olympics, we had been participating but come 2012, we’ll compete with other Nations.”

If what the NOC chairman said and the reality facing us at the Games are anything to go by, I think Nigeria still had a long way to making a name at the Olympics. What will the NOC president call the team Nigeria’s performance at the Atlanta ’96 olympics? Did the athletes go to participate or they went to compete? If the NOC president’s target for Nigeria is two gold medals why would he say that team Nigeria was going to compete? By now Nigeria is supposed to be a force to reckon with at the Olympic games, if not in all games, at least some games like football, judo, boxing, wrestling and athletics where Nigeria has some good talents. We have very talented individuals in Nigeria, but the problem is that there are no right measures in place to find and maintain these talents. It has been over the years that Nigeria has lost wonderful talents to other countries due to some reasons that can be taken care of by the Nigerian government. They were not taken good care of, so countries that saw the talent in them took them away and they are now doing well in their adopted countries. The list of Nigerians or sportsmen bearing Nigerian names competing for other countries has continued to swell in the last few years. At the moment, more than 100 Nigerian-born athletes are reportedly competing for their adopted countries in Europe, the Americas and across Africa. The reasons they opted for greener pastures elsewhere range from insensitivity of the Nigerian national federations, poor incentives to athletes, lack of developmental programmes at home to lack of support from the government and non-release of training grants before major championships.

A perfect case is that of Francis Obiorah Obikwelu, unarguably one of Nigeria and Portugal’s most successful athletes, was Africa’s sprint king in the 100 metres and 200 metres while competing for his native country. He assumed Portuguese citizenship in 2001. Obikwelu brought glory to his adopted country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where he finished second in the 100 metres and won the first silver medal ever in a sprint event for Portugal at the global games.

In 2006 at the European Championships, he got the gold in the 100 metres and 200 metres and became the first athlete to win both events in the same Euro championships since 1978. Though now retired, Obikwelu was a talent that Nigeria would have tried its best to retain and make the nation proud, but he was neglected.

Another example is Daniel Baraladei Igali, a Canadian freestyle wrestler. Igali was born in Eniwari village, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He was captain of the Nigerian wrestling team to the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada. After the games, he refused to return with the contingent and remained in the country while seeking refugee status due to political unrest at the time in Nigeria. He acquired Canadian citizenship in 1998. In Canada, Igali won 116 consecutive matches, wrestling at Simon Fraser University from 1997 to 1999.

He was placed fourth at the 1998 world championships. He finished second at the 1998 World Cup and won a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan-American Games. If Nigeria was interested in this young man the government would have made a move to make sure he stays back in Nigeria and make the country proud, but such was not done. The list goes on.

Even at the present Olympic games in London, names like Margaret Adeoye, Abdul Buhari, James Dasaolu, Ifeoma Dieke, Philips Idowu Christian Ohuruogu (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Athletics, Eniola Aluko (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Football, Oluwadamilola Bakare, Eniola Bakare (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Volley Ball, Temi Fagbenle (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Basketball, are all participants at the ongoing Olympic games with Nigerian names competing for other countries.

The Federal Government of Nigeria in conjunction with the Nigeria Olympic Committee have to rise to the challenge and take the bull by the horn to make sure talents are sourced for from schools around the country. We have a lot of Obikwelu’s, Finidi’s, Igali’s out there that can be gotten and groomed for national duty tomorrow. After all countries that are making names at the Olympic games today like the United States of America, China, England, Jamaica etc, all started from somewhere, and they are tops today, so why will Nigeria refuse to do the right thing and search amongst the millions of citizens in this country? The Federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee must see the Olympic games as a challenge and a wake-up call to work hard and invest for a better Nigeria, especially, in the world of sports.

Echem David Prince is a student of RSUST, Port Harcourt.

Echem David Prince

Sports

FUBARA Opens 2026 PH AMATEUR OPEN GOLF Championship

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday declared open the 2026 Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship during which he renewed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of Rivers people.

Governor Fubara, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Sunny Ewule, at the ceremonial Tee -off to kickstart the tournament, said the event holding in Port Harcourt, is a clear indication that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business.

“This championship bringing over two hundred and fifty golfers from across Nigeria to Port Harcourt is a testament to the fact that Rivers State is safe, peaceful and open for sports, tourism and business. You have demonstrated that sports is a powerful tool for social cohesion and for projecting the positive nature of our State,” he said.

The Rivers State Government, the Governor stated, identifies with the championship and will continue to support initiatives that promote youth development and the wellbeing of the people.

Governor Fubara described golf as more than a sport, emphasising that it teaches patience, discipline, focus and integrity. According to him, these values were in line with his administration’s commitment to peace, unity and healthy living for all the people of Rivers State.

He commended the Local Organizing Committee for their hard work in putting the event together. He also commended the Port Harcourt Club Golf Section for sustaining the historic Club since 1928, while wishing all golfers participating in the championship an injury-free and worthy tournament.

The President of the Port Harcourt Club, Barr. Victor Omubo Frank-Briggs, expressed appreciation to the Governor honouring their invitation, noting that with the government’s presence the golfers have been energised and inspired to do their best in the championship

MFM, First Bank eye AWBL finals in Liberia (5)

Nigerian clubs MFM Basketball Club and First Bank Basketball Club will battle for places in the African Women’s Basketball League finals when they compete in the FIBA Africa Zone 3 qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 2 to 9.

The six-team competition will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Indoor Gymnasium in Paynesville, with the top two teams earning qualification for the continental finals in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for December 11 to 19.

MFM and First Bank will be seeking to carry their domestic form into the qualifiers after meeting in the final of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM claimed a narrow 66-64 victory.

The result underlined the close rivalry between the Nigerian sides, who will now look to establish themselves against opponents from across the region and secure their places in Cairo.

Defending FIBA Africa Zone 3 champions Friends of Basketball Association of Côte d’Ivoire will also compete, alongside Benin Republic’s Energie Basketball Club of Cotonou.

Hosts Liberia will be represented by Flames Basketball Club, the domestic league runners-up, and reigning national champions D’Rockers Basketball Club.

The Nigerian clubs secured their places in the qualifiers after FIBA Africa and the Liberia Basketball Association extended the registration deadline and adjusted the competition schedule following the late conclusion of their domestic league campaign. The intervention was facilitated by FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retd.).

Preparations for the tournament are also gathering momentum, with Flames president and Liberia Basketball Association Secretary-General Calvin Diggs saying the organisers are working to deliver a successful competition.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 Secretary Joe Apu also expressed confidence in Liberia’s readiness, citing the experience of the country’s basketball community in hosting international events.

With six teams competing for just two qualification places, MFM and First Bank will face a demanding test as they seek to progress to the continental finals in Egypt.

Sports

Chukwueze Faces Injury Lay-Off

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is expected to spend at least two months on the sidelines with a hip injury, ruling him out of AC Milan’s upcoming fixtures, including the derby against Inter Milan.

According to Italian sources, the 27-year-old has consulted a specialist over a problem with his left hip and commenced treatment with injections.

Chukwueze will undergo another assessment in 10 to 15 days, but he is not expected to return before the end of the year, dealing a blow to Nigeria and Milan’s options on the right flank.

The Nigerian reportedly experienced discomfort in his hip after Milan’s Serie A fixture against Atalanta and missed training ahead of last Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash with Bournemouth, which the Italian side lost 3-0.

Chukwueze has made eight appearances across all competitions this season, providing two assists since returning to Milan following a loan spell at Premier League club Fulham.

His absence adds to Milan’s injury concerns, with defender Matteo Gabbia and winger Alexis Saelemaekers also sidelined by long-term injuries.

The Rossoneri are reportedly considering recalling Zachary Athekame from his loan spell at Lyon to provide additional cover during Chukwueze’s recovery.

Milan, who remain unbeaten in Serie A this season, face Udinese on Sunday before taking on Inter in the derby on October 31.

There is better news for the Italian side regarding striker Gonçalo Ramos, who has returned to full training after missing the Bournemouth defeat with fatigue in his left calf.

A scan revealed no muscle damage, making the Portuguese forward available for Sunday’s trip to Udinese.

Sports

Nigerian Trio Target Titles At PFL Africa Finals

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Three Nigerians, David Samuel, Patrick Ocheme and Raphael Uchegbu, will fight for titles at the PFL Africa finals after the Professional Fighters League confirmed PFL Rwanda for December 12 at the BK Arena in Kigali.

The promotion announced on October 23 that the event will crown three African champions in the welterweight (170 lbs), lightweight (155 lbs) and bantamweight (135 lbs) divisions.

In the main event, the undefeated Samuel, who has a record of 7-0, will meet Angola’s Shido “Machine” Boris Esperança, who is 13-2, in the welterweight final.

Esperança reached the final with a first-round finish in his semi-final, while Samuel went the distance to keep his perfect record.

“My Nigerian roots opened the door for me to compete in PFL Africa, and reaching the final is a special source of pride for me,” Samuel said. “On December 12, I will step into the cage not just as a finalist, but as a man determined to finish what he started and become a champion.”

Esperança said, “I believe that I can be that champion that the promotion deserves because I have been crafting myself for that.”

Ocheme, whose record stands at 10-1, headlines the co-main event against Senegal’s Demba “Black Tiger” Seck, who is 11-3, in the lightweight final. Ocheme booked his place with a devastating first-round body kick in his semi-final.

“This means a lot to me because finishing fights is what I do best; I am a knockout artist by nature,” Ocheme said. “I trust my preparation, my fight IQ and my ability to get the job done, God willing, in the first or second round.”

Seck responded, “Patrick is a tough opponent, and I always knew our paths could cross in the final. I respect his skills, but I truly believe I am the most complete, technical, strongest, and the most experienced fighter in this division.”

In the bantamweight final, Uchegbu, a former FCC champion with a record of 11-2, faces Liberia’s Dwight Joseph, who is 17-3 and won his semi-final by split decision.

“Winning in the final will change my life, and I look forward to bringing the belt back to the motherland and showing the next generation of African fighters what is possible,” Uchegbu said.

Joseph said, “Coming up short last year motivated me to push even harder this time around. I am getting my hand raised, leaving with that belt, and taking it back to Liberia.”

PFL Rwanda will be shown across Africa on SuperSport for English-speaking viewers and Canal+ for French-speaking audiences. It will also be available on free-to-air television via SportyTV.

PFL Africa General Manager, Elias Schulze, said, “Kigali will take centre stage as we crown Africa’s next champions in front of a global audience. Together with our Rwandan partners, we are giving African talent a world stage, and the next generation something to fight for.”