Amike Urges Team Nigeria To Reciprocate Confidence

Henry Amike, the President of the Nigeria Olympians Association (NOA), has urged Team Nigeria to reciprocate the confidence Nigerians reposed in them by performing well at the London Olympics.

Amikespoke with newsmen this week, in Lagos.

He advised the athletes not to relent in their preparations as the final countdown to the global sports fiesta had begun.

Amike, a former national quarter miler, implored the athletes to build on the momentum they generated at the just concluded 18th African Athletics Championship in Porto Novo, to excel.

According to him, placing first in the championship should spur them to succeed at the

Olympics and do the country proud.

“Their performance as far as I am concerned is commendable, and I only want to wish them well at the Olympic Games.

“I believe the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have worked very hard to prepare the country’s athletes for the London Olympics.

“As far as I am concerned the athletes are currently in the right frame of mind, and I so believe in their abilities, and commend them for their excellent performance at the African championships,’’ he said.

The NOA president said that staying in camp in Surrey before moving to the Olympic Games Village was enough motivation for the athletes to be mentally alert.

Amike,who ranked eighth in the Men’s 400 metres Hurdles event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, urged the team to work hard in London.