Sports
London 2012: Egbunike Hopeful Of Medals In Relay
Chief coach of Team Nigeria Mr Innocent Egbunike, has expressed hope that Nigeria will pick a medal in the relay at the London Olympics.
“The women’s team is capable”, Egbunike, a 1984 Olympic medallist said in an interview with Tidesports source in London.
“In Blessing Okagbare, we have one of the best female sprinters in the world and we have others, so when they come together as a team, they can put it out there and our goal is that they get a medal”, he said.
Egbunike said that Team Nigeria was in London to give their best as they had worked hard to qualify, adding, “ these women have become an inspiration to me.”
“The biggest goal is to have the athletes at the possible level of fitness and for them to make the finals of their events; when they get that far it’s anybody’s race.
“Many of them have sacrificed a lot to get to this level and some of them have been away for three, four and five months; we believe they’ll do very well”, Egbunike said.
Also, Quarter miler, Idara Otu expressed optimism that she and her teammates would make Nigeria proud.
“I’m expecting us to make the medal stand”, she said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Olwatoyin Lawal, Deputy Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has urged the team to be disciplined and avoid scandal during the fiesta.
Lawal made the remarks at a reception organised by the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) to welcome the Team Nigeria and officials to London.
“Representing Nigeria comes with a lot of responsibility; as flag bearers, you owe Nigeria a duty to be scandal free,’’ Lawal said.
Also, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, said more than 50 athletes qualified for the London Olympics, an indication that Nigeria was not only a football loving nation.
“The Olympics is the highest competition in the universe and it is based on qualifications outside of football; im glad that more than 50 people qualified from Nigeria.
“By the grace of God, we will be in the gold medal zone which has eluded us for more than eight years”, he said.
Earlier, CANUK Chairman Mr Bimbo Folayan in his welcome address assured the team of “home support’’ from Nigerians in the UK.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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