The appointment of John Mikel Obi as captain of Team Nigeria to Rio 2016 Olympic Games has continued to draw the ire of sports buffs who believe the Ministry of Youth and Sports has put the wrong foot forward ahead of the games in Brazil next week.
From sports journalists to ex-athletes, the decision by the Chef-De-Mission, Christian Ohaa to name a debutant as leader of Team Nigeria has been faulted.
“I don’t think the people in the ministry advised the minister and his permanent secretary very well before they arrived at such decision because Olympic Games is not about football alone and it is not about sentiment, it is based on Olympics records and ideal. The naming of captain for the team is the responsibility of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and not the ministry ad this goes to show the lack of knowledge on the part of those in charge of our sports,” a former Olympian, who pleaded anonymity said.
Writing on the facebook page, Deputy Sports Editor, New Telegraph, Dapo Sotiminu said: “Where you have a seventh time Olympian like Segun Toriola, a role model by all standard, naming a first timer like Mikel Obi as Team Nigeria captain to the Rio Olympics leaves a sour taste in the mouth and a lot more to desire.”
Also former Director of Sports, Lagos State Sports Council, Kweku Tandoh wrote on Facebook, “Sometimes I wonder whether our so called sports administrators know what it all means. In any sane clime, Segun Toriola will be automatic choice as Team Nigeria captain but no, not in our dear country. What a missed opportunity to recognize achievement, patriotism, dedication and discipline as epitomized in the sporting life of The Legend, Segun Toriola.”
On records, Team Nigeria has been captained by experienced Olympians like Chika Chukwumerije (London 2012), Bose Kaffo (Beijing 2008) and Mary Onyali (Athens 2004).
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