Sports
Female Athletes Are Nigeria’s Olympic Hopefuls – NOC
The Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, has said that Nigeria’s medal hopes at the Paris Olympics largely rest on female athletes such as Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume.
Despite participating in the Olympics since 1952, Nigeria has only secured a total of 27 medals, including just two gold medals, both won in 1996 in Atlanta.
This remains the country’s most successful outing, with Chioma Ajunwa winning gold in the women’s long jump and the football team, led by Kanu Nwankwo, clinching the second at the expense of super powers Argentia and Brazil.
“The men dominated previously, but this time, it’s all about the women. They qualified for the football event and almost every single event in athletics. It’s a good thing, and we appreciate their growth,” he said in an interview with Tidesports source.
“The women have done more because they are more committed. I’m not saying the men aren’t, but women are more dedicated, and that’s the reason they are doing well.”
Ajunwa’s achievement in 1996 stands out as Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medal, highlighting the persistent trend of Nigeria’s female athletes consistently outperforming their male counterparts.
This trend continued at the 2000 Sydney Games, where Gloria Alozie secured a silver medal in the women’s 110-metre hurdles, salvaging Nigeria’s presence on the podium.
In the most recent Tokyo Games, Team Nigeria won two medals, both from women: Brume, who claimed bronze in the women’s long jump, and Blessing Oborududu, who won silver in wrestling.
With the Paris Games only weeks away, it appears hopes are once again pinned on the women to bring home medals.
Nigeria’s female athletes are world-class, while many of their male counterparts, particularly in athletics, are less experienced.
Taiwo Popoola, Vice President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, echoed these sentiments, attributing the women’s success to their dedication.
“The women have done more because they are more committed. I’m not saying the men aren’t, but women are more dedicated, and that’s the reason they are doing well,” he said.
To put the NTF VP’s statement in perspective, Elizabeth Anyanacho, another female athlete, is the only qualified taekwondoist for the Paris Olympics. She was also Nigeria’s only representative in the sport at Tokyo 2022.
Nigeria’s medal hopes in Paris largely rest on the shoulders of athletes like Tobi Amusan, Brume, wrestlers Oborududu, and Odunayo Adekuruoye.
Amusan, in particular, is a standout athlete. She set a world record time of 12.40 seconds in the women’s hurdles in Kingston, Jamaica, in May 2024.
The Head Coach of Okrika United FC, IsaacTama has commended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara for hosting of the Simplified Football Tournament in the State.
Coach Tama made the commendation yesterday after Okrika United defeated Degema LGA 2-0 at the competition holding at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He expressed joy over his side’s victory, saying that his team had worked so hard before the kick-off of the tournament.
“The Governor has done very well because it has been like five to six years we saw competions among the 23 LGAs in the State.
” As you can see, we are very happy because this tournament is showcasing our local players from all the LGAs.
” So, I thank Governor Sim Fubara. We trained over two months before the competition so we prepared very well, I am surprised that we scored only two goals. The first half was so tough because the Degema team was so hard and rough in their approach, so my players were distraught. In the second half, I made two substitutions that yielded the two zero win. I saw that they were playing karate football so I changed the strategies to play from defence and attacking from the wings.
” You know, the competition has three phases, the first is to come out of the group stage, for now, we are pushing from the group stage, then, we move on” Tama said.
He described the CTC chairman of Okrika LGA, Princess Oga as the best chairman in the State, adding that she released money for the team on time.
“Before we started, we asked for N12.8 million and she did not delay in taking action. She even promised to pay players N30, 000 each if we win the match we just played. “Women CTC Chairmen are the best ooh?, ” Tama stated.
The 8th editon of National Youth Games (NYG) was declared opened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday, at Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State.
It was a colourful opening ceremony characterized with funfares, even as the heavy down could not stop the colorful ceremony.
Excitment was on the air when athletes, coaches and people from all works of life witnessed the ceremony in a full capacity Stadium.
Speaking Presidency Tinubu said the game was to hunt talents and noture them to stadium, as he accepted the abysmal performance of Nigeria’ athletes at the just concluded Paris Olympics.
He noted that Sports in Nigeria’ is declining occasion by ageing Sportsmen and stressed for norturing young athletes that will represent the country.
The President who was represent by the minister of youth and sports, Hon. John Enoh said sports plays a crucial role in creating wealth, peace and international diplomacy.
Tonye Orabere
The Caretaker Chairman of Bonny Local government Council of Rivers State, Hon Anengi Barasua Claud – Wilcox has promised to retain the Bonny Stars FC after the Simplified Football Tournament currently going on at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
According to her, Bonny LGA is known for footballing, so retaining the team at the end of the tournament would help the youths to promote their careers in the round leather game.
Hon Claud – Wilcox made the promise in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Bonny Stars FC played out a goalless draw against Eleme LGA at the Simplified Governor’s Cup for the 23 LGAs in Port Harcourt.
She praised her team despite the goalless draw, adding that the Eleme team were also a good team.
” I am very proud of my team as you can see, the opponents look young but my boys look stronger.
” The game ended well, 0-0. I think our main purpose in the tournament is to win the cup and it will go a long way for our support to Governor Sim Fubara.
“The name of the tournament, Simplified football Cup Rivers State shows that the 23 LGAs are all Simplified.
” We want to ensure we win the competition and bring the cup to Bonny LGA.
” Retaining the team yes because Bonny is known for good footballing and is also a way of encouraging the youth for them to promote their career” Hon Wilcox said.
The Bonny CTC Boos also revealed to empower other sport like female football, tennis, track and some indoor games most especially in school to keep the youths busy..
” Our target is to win the competition to showcase that the Governor is our own.
” We will try as much as possible to keep the team because is a way of encouraging the youth and to set the mind a way crime” She said.
The Chairman used the medium to advise Rivers people to engage the youth in sporting activities because it goes a long way to encourage them and keep them active, while advancing their fitness and health.
Kiadum Edookor
-
Rivers4 days ago
Commission Tasks CSOs, Others On Accountability
-
Sports4 days ago
Khana Official Praises Team, CTC Chairman
-
News4 days ago
UNIPORT: 301 Youths Benefit From Holiday Programme On ICT
-
Politics4 days agoTwo Million Voters To Elect Next Ondo Gov – INEC
-
News16 hours agoPalliatives: Ministers Get 1,200 Bags Of Rice Each For Distribution
-
Featured4 days agoWe’ll Be Forced To Export 97% Of Our Petrol, Dangote Refinery Warns …NNPCL Requests Office Space At Dangote Refinery
-
Focus4 days ago
Differentiation And Learning Strategies As Tool For Desired Learning Outcome
-
News16 hours agoTinubu congratulates Muslims on Eid Maulud