‘Nigeria’s Chances Of Medals In Boxing Slim’

A quarter finalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Jerry Okorodudu, has said that Nigeria’s chances of clinching a medal in boxing at the London 2012 Olympics were slim.

Okorodudu asserted in an interview with newsmen in Lagos that the boxers selected to represent the country lacked the requisite experience.

“They are talented boxers with prospects. However, I do not expect a medal from boxing because they are fresh from the block, boxers that still need exposure.

“It will take a lot of guts in the boxers to stand in the ring with the mammoth crowd that will sit at the ringside and the lights focused on them to concentrate on the match.

“I don’t see the Nigerian boxers having this characteristic,” he said.

However, he wished them the best of luck and prayed that they made the country proud.

Akanji Olalekan, 75kg; Lawal Olayiwola, 81kg, and Ogoke Agu, 75kg, the only female, will represent Nigeria in boxing at the Games.

The former boxer also decried the manner in which the Nigeria Olympian Association (NOA) was being run, alleging that it was without a constitution.

Okorodudu claimed that the NOA was being run undemocratically and urged its president to correct the anomaly.

“When Henry Amike, the president of the association, returns from the Olympics we will get some lawyers to help draw up a constitution for the association.

“Because without a precise structure, the association cannot be self-governing,” he said.

The Olympian further said that the death of Sunday Bada, the former secretary of the association, had left the position vacant.

“Therefore, someone should be elected to fill the gap,” he said.

Okorodudu also made a case for the government to cater for the welfare of the Olympians, thereby recognising their contributions to the country.

“I believe, we, the Olympians are not up to a 1000 people, therefore we could be absorbed into the pension scheme so that we would know we are remembered,” he said.