Sports

Tokyo Olympics: Ogunkoya Predicts Four Athletics Medals For Team Nigeria

Published

4 years ago

July 21, 2021

Former Nigerian 100m record holder and two-time African champion, Seun Ogunkoya, says the country’s athletics team at the Olympics has the chance to win four medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Ogunkoya, in a chat with newsmen said, Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume were Nigeria’s biggest medal hopefuls in Tokyo.
”Our chances are brighter in the individual events than in the team events. Somebody like Blessing Okagabare, if she can get herself very well, a medal is sure for her because there are about five people that are in the same category right now.
“She always has bad reaction from the block, if she can get her block accurately, that is acceleration to transition, if she can get it, then a medal is sure for her in either the 100m or 200m,” Ogunkoya said.
The double African Championships gold medalist also tipped Tobi Amusan for a place on the podium.
He however said none of the country’s male contingent will make it to the final in their events.
”For our men, I don’t see anybody in the final.
‘The women’s long jump is one of our brightest chances. Ese Brume can win the gold medal because of her form at the moment. She has improved on her taking off, it is different from how it was when she won the bronze medal at the World Championships in Qatar.
“Tobi Amusan is consistent too, but she normally panics, if she doesn’t panic and calms down, she is also around the medals table. In athletics at the Olympics, I see Nigeria winning up to four medals,” he added.

Sports

Ogba, Others Endorse Niger Delta Sports Festival

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

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.”

Sports

Onyedika Not Sure For Super Eagles W’C Qualifiers

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

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.

Sports

‘I Must Win Trophy Before Retirement’

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

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.”