Sports
Nigeria Wins 7 Gold Medals At Africa Youth Championships
The country’s representatives to the Africa Youth Championships in Morocco have returned to Lagos with seven gold medals, three silver and two bronze.
Out of the seven gold medals, weightlifting had three, while the rest and the silver and bronze were shared by swimming, wrestling, tennis and athletics.
Boxing, Table tennis and Taekwondo did not win any medal because they were walked over due to the contingent’s late arrival in Morocco for the competition.
The event started on July 13 but the contingent departed the country on July 14 and reached the venue on July 15.
Those who spoke to Tide sports source urged the federal government to ensure early preparation and departure of athletes to competitions, not only to avoid being walked over but for enhanced performance.
The athletes described their experience at the tournament as frustrating.
Rachael Ekoshoria, a weightlifter, said they had no time to prepare before competing in the championships when they arrived at the venue, saying it affected their performance.
“We ought to be in Morocco at least three days before the competition begins so that we can settle down and familiarise ourselves with the environment and facilities,’’ she said.
Ekoshoria also complained of lack of supplements for athletes to use after training to replace lost energy and bring out the best in them.
Abba Adamu, a taekwondoist said he was walked over because of late arrival, adding that “the officials have finished with our category before we got there.
“The development left us without opportunity to participate in the competition.’’
He also complained of lack of modern facilities for them to prepare at home adding that “I have never seen or used the kind of facilities there; even the body protector is computerised.
“Although I did not participate but I gained exposure which will help me at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August and future tournaments.
“The NSC should as a matter of urgency update facilities for all sports so that Nigerian athletes can excel at international tournaments,’’ he added.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
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