Sports
London 2012: Hopes Not Completely Lost For Nigeria
Although hopes of winning medals of any colour may be fast fading, especially with the failure of Blessing Okagbare in Women’s 100m sprint, but since the ongoing London Olympic Games are not yet over, it will be hard to conclude.
“It is hard to predict accurately in some cases what a pregnant woman can give birth to,” said Tony Ubani, spokesman of ‘Team Nigeria,’ as he summed the situation of the delegation at the Games.
“We can’t give up hope until all our events are concluded.
“We have ended the anxiety of Blessing Okagbare winning a medal from the 100 metres dash as she failed to win after a bad start that left her last in a pack of eight top best at the Games.
“We thank God she made it to the finals. Some countries did not even make the Games’ top events”.
According to Ubani, Nigeria still has hope in Taekwondo, where Chika Chukwumerje, 80 kg class, is now carrying Nigeria’s hopes.
“We still have Egoke in female boxing, as well as the female relay team”.
He also stressed that it was not over yet for Okagbare, who still has the Long Jump event, from where she secured a bronze at the last 2008 Beijing Games in China.
However, it had been a tough one for the officials, who have been under intense pressure to perform in the face of the latest failure by Okagbare and some members of the athletics team.
It will be recalled that the entire Table Tennis team lost and the D’Tigers also, after winning one game.
Added to this has been the crash of the boxing team, save for a female boxer, Edith Egoke, who is still on.
“For me, the Games are over,” said sports analyst Mitchell Obi of Master Sports International.
“It is sad that the nation could put Okagbare under the pressure that subsumed her. How can we pin our hopes only on one athlete?
“I just want to find some other sports like Tennis, to watch good efforts by other countries, to lift my heart to take my mind off the colossal failure evident in the national team.
Group Sports Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Onochie Anibeze, noted that it was saddening that only Okagbare even tried to win the 1,000-dollar prize money that the president of Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) offered.
The prize money offer was for any athlete who could reach the semi-finals in his or her event.
“Something is fundamentally wrong. We need to do something about re-awakening the interest of the youth in athletics.
“Even though we profess a preference for soccer in the country, but athletics is key to the Olympics. If we must be relevant at the Games, we need athletics,” he said.
The importance of the sport is not in doubt because since it started on August 3, it has had more popularity among those attending the Games.
The Olympic Stadium had always been full to capacity.
If optimism were anything to go by, then Nigeria’s International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Habu Gumel, and Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, had variously expressed hopes that winning medals were still possible as the Games were not yet over.
“I still believe we can still win medals,” said Gumel.
Abdullahi said: “It has never happened that Nigeria will return from the last five Games or more, without a medal.
“We are still in contention, but the colour is what remains uncertain. Only time and the next couple of days left in the Games can solve the riddle.”
“Only prayers matched with hard work can produce results. Have we matched prayers with hard work,’ asks a Nigerian and an international member of the Triathlon Union at the Games, Lanre Glover.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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