Nigerian athletes tensed over Olympic Trials uncertainties
By Uzor Odigbo
Many Nigerian Athletes have expressed uncertainties on the possible outcome of the National Olympic Trials billed for Benin City, Edo State.
Nigerian Athletes based abroad have been punching the Paris Olympic tickets, like Favor Asher, Favour Ofili, Godson Brume, Godbless, Ese Brume, Adesina and others. The reverse, however, is the case for home based Athletes.
Quarter-miler Emmanuel Ojeli in his assessment of the outcome of the trials said, said: “Nigerian Trials used to be unpredictable, that’s why every Athlete is unsure until the trial is concluded.”
The Delta State born athlete also said that competing at home in the presence of fans and family members comes with much pressure which could make one lose concentration.
“It’s always uncertain to maintain your running form at the Trials, that’s why most Athletes after doing well prior to the trials fail to make the team.”
A female quarter-miler Patience George Okon, corroborated Ojeli when she said, “Competing at home puts much pressure on the Athlete and it is natural but most people don’t know about this.”
According to the Akwa-Ibom State born athlete, “Nigeria Trials is tough, you don’t have to loose concentration if you want to perform well. I say this because I had experienced it and it wasn’t a good one”
Coach Gabriel Okon, also known as King Daddy, said that Nigerian Trials is as tough and unpredictable like the US and Jamaican Athletics Trials. “When you are coming for Nigeria’s Trials, don’t say because I am running well or in good form you’ll beat anybody. I am a veteran in this job and I am aware that an athlete can beat the gun or have injuries.”
He added: “The basic thing is for Athletes to concentrate and run their race very well.
Nigeria’s Trials don’t know US based Athlete or Europe based. One thing is sure, a prepared Athlete would always win.”
The tension among Athletes is high on the home based. They assume that hardship in the country would drastically reduce their chances of making the Nigerian Team to the Paris Olympic Games.
Israel Sunday, also known as Alika is a sprinter. He lamented that home based Athletes suffer malnutrition and poor feeding, unlike their counterparts abroad with good food, more competitions and money in there pockets.
According to him, the privileges are not the same, therefore, when it comes to winning or qualifying for the Olympics, Athletes based abroad have more advantages than the home based ones.
Sunday, who won Africa Games Trials in Asaba in June 2023 and placed second in 100m at the CAA Zone ll Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana last week, said that things must improve for home based Athletes to be able to compete favourably
