Sports
Aliu Okays Okagbare, Amusan, Brume For Medals
Retired sprinter and Athens 2004 Olympics bronze medalist, Deji Aliu, says the trio, Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume have what it takes to win medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which starts on Friday.
Aliu, who is now a coach, told newsmen that the three athletes have proven that they could compete favourably with the best in their events.
“I don’t want to put pressure on anybody, but I am counting on Blessing, she has been superb this year and I’m expecting a lot from her. I pray she is injury-free because that is one thing an athlete has to pray against. So, I’m expecting something spectacular from her, I know she is ready and she is capable,” Aliu said.
“I’m also expecting something from Tobi Amusan, she has been fantastic over the years and I think she has come of age. She has everything at her disposal, so I also have a podium expectation from her, the same thing with Ese Brume, she has also come of age, so a podium finish.”
Aliu added that the basketball teams and the wrestlers were Nigeria’s other hope of winning medals.
“I have been following the basketball teams and my expectations for them are high, I am expecting a podium finish from them. We also have good wrestlers and I think they will do well. They are in very good hands, the president, and the coaches are doing a very good job, so I expect them to give a very good account of themselves as well,” he added.
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”
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