The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OLYMPICS

  • RIO 2016 OLYMPICS: Wrestling federation targets two more slots in Turkey

    RIO 2016 OLYMPICS: Wrestling federation targets two more slots in Turkey

    President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon Daniel Igali has revealed that the federation is seeking to increase the number of wrestlers that will represent the country at Rio 2016 Olympic Games after picking six more slots at the just concluded Africa /Oceania Olympic qualifier in Algiers, Algeria.

    Speaking at the team’s arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, Igali said that the duo of Blessing Onyebuchi (75kg) and Melvin Bibo (74kg) who won bronze medals in Algeria still have the chance of joining the Olympic train if they attend the last qualifier scheduled for May 6–8 in Istanbul, Turkey.

    Mercy Genesis (48kg), Aminat Adeniyi (58kg), Blessing Oborududu (63kg), Hannah Reuben (69Kg), Daniel Amas (65K) and Soso Tamara (97kg) joined Odunayo Adekuoroye who had earlier qualified by winning a bronze medal in the 53kg weight class at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas, USA.

    “Blessing Onyebuchi and Melvin Bibo have the opportunity of qualifying for the Olympics at the last qualifying tournament in Turkey if we can secure the funds.

    “It now up to the National Sports Commission, our direction and how we will move forward from now will be dependent on funds available to us. The team will go on break and will resume camping in about two weeks.”

    While commending the wrestlers for their performance in Algeria, Igali said, “Apart from the glory going to the Almighty,  the praises should go to the coaches and the young men and women in the Arena who have worked so hard over the last few years to get this far. We are merely cheer leaders.”

  • Nigeria boxers begin quest for Olympics qualification

    Nigeria boxers begin quest for Olympics qualification

    From the 272 boxers from 39 countries that will be on duty at the International Boxing Association (AIBA) African Olympic Qualification Event at the Paposy boxing venue in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, 10 Nigerian boxers will also be aiming for shorts in Brazil.

    The Nigerian 10-man contingent is made up of seven male and three female and they are expected to compete for slots in 69kg, 75kg, 81kg, 91kg and +91kg in the men’s category while in the women’s division, Nigeria will compete in three recognized weight categories – 51kg, 60kg and 75kg.

    According to 2015 African Games gold medalist, Kehinde Obareh, the tournament starts today with the draws for various categories.

    Obareh told Sportinglife from Yaounde yesterday that they are all in high spirit in readiness for the tournament with 36 qualification places – 30 men’s and six women’s – on offer for Rio 2016 in Cameroon.

    “I am aiming for the gold because it is only the winner in the women’s category that will qualify for the Olympics. Being my second attempt at competing at the Olympics, I am hoping and optimistic that I can achieve my dream of competing at the Olympic Games this year,” she said.

    According to the President of AIBA, C. K. Wu “The African continent’s boxers continue to show their prowess and strength at AIBA boxing events, as highlighted by Morocco’s Mohammed Rabii who was crowned the first African AIBA world champion in Doha in 2015.”

  • Nigeria Taekwondo team fails to pick Olympics ticket

    For the first time since 2004, the Nigerian Taekwondo team will not be competing at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

    The four-man team failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in its history. All fighters lost in the Semi-Finals.

    African Champion, Uzoamaka Otuadinma, and African Games silver medallist, Chinazum Nwosu both narrowly lost to Morocco while Edwin  Samson lost to Senegal via second round stoppage via kick to mouth.

    Earlier, Jamilu Mohammed had been disqualified for overweight in the men’s -58kg. Finalists in each weight category are expected to qualify automatically for the Olympics.

    To berth in the semi-final, Samson beat athletes from Togo and Algeria while Nwosu defeated an Ethiopian and Otuadinma beat Swaziland.

    Having featured in the last three Olympics in Athens, Beijing and London, Nigeria will be conspicously missing in action at the Rio Olympics Games in Brazil.

    Meanwhile, on the first day of the qualifiers, êight  countries picked up Rio 2016 tickets with DR Congo, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia & Niger Republic berthing in Brazil.

  • Playing at the Olympics will be a dream come true – Mordi

    As a kid, Jeremiah Mordi’s ambition was to do Nigeria proud at international sporting events and despite leaving Nigeria at the age of five, he has not jettisoned his goal.

    The 23-year-old basketball star is in the running for a place in the NBA draft in June after propelling the Queens College Men’s Basketball Senior team to the top and creating records along the way.

    Mordi, who visited Nigeria recently, told Sportinglife that he was ready for a try-out with the national team, D’Tigress, noting that his inclusion would give the team more attacking options.

    “My ambition has been to play for the Nigerian team ever since I started playing basketball at the age of six. My resolve was strengthened after I watched the team play at the 2012 London Olympic Games. I was happy to see my country play in the basketball event of the Olympics and I felt I had a chance if given an opportunity by the team handlers.”

    Mordi, who also played American football, but had to abandon the game when his parents expressed concern over the dangerous nature of the game, said that he had worked so hard to get to this level since playing competitive basketball for the first time in his seventh grade. “Playing at the highest level is every player’s dream and I would love to play at this year’s Rio Olympics.

    “I have put in so much hard work into my game and getting the basics at high school have prepared me for the challenge ahead. As an athlete, I have always worked hard and playing at the highest level for the Nigerian team will be a dream come true. I saw them play against the USA at the last Olympics and I was impressed though they lost. But the team has grown and watching them win the Afrobasket for the first time last year was a delight. And I must say that I am happy to see basketball grow in the country.”

    The point guard said he wasn’t trying to join the team because of what it has achieved, but noted that he has a lot to contribute to the team if given a chance to play. “I must make it clear that I am not trying to come into the team because it has qualified for the Olympics, but I am sure that I can add quality to the team.

    “I am familiar with some of the players on the team though I have not related with them at close quarters. However, Chamberlain Ogwuche who emerged the as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at last year’s Afrobasket and many others on the team started their career in the United States.

    Speaking about his attributes, he said: “I am an excellent shooter and I play as a point guard and a shooting guard. The Nigerian team has three guards, but with my inclusion, it (the Nigerian team) can have so many other options on the court.

    Mordi, who hails from Delta State, noted that playing at the Olympics would give him fulfilment.

  • Chukwu to Siasia: Overhaul Dream Team VI for Olympics

    Chukwu to Siasia: Overhaul Dream Team VI for Olympics

    • Wants NSC, NFF to support team

    Former Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Christian Chukwu has called on the Chief Coach of the Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia to overhaul the team for next year’s Olympics despite the team being crowned Africa U- 23 Cup of Nations Champion recently in Senegal.

    “First of all I like to say big congratulations to Samson Siasia for leading the team to success in Senegal by winning the Africa U- 23 Championship. If he had failed the blame would have been on him. Now that the team has qualified for the Olympics as African Champion Siasia should be commended. He has done so well by leading the Dream Team VI as they are called to win the Africa U- 23 Cup of Nations. He has performed fantastically and I am impressed with him and the team.

    “I think the Chief Coach has the time now to look at the team. Also to look where we have some deficiencies and where we need to inject some fresh players. Sincerely speaking the Samson Siasia team need the injection of new and quality players that would help the Coach to prepare a solid team for the Olympics proper.

    “These new players that I am talking about can come from any part of the world and also here in Nigeria. The most important thing is that such additions should be good enough to add quality to the team. The team and their technical crew also need the full support of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation for Nigeria to do well in the 2016 Olympic Football Tournament in Rio, Brazil

    “The preparations ought to have started now but starting early January 2016 is not too late. So the National Sports Commission led by the Honourable Sports Minister must ensure that the needed funds are provided for the team to start full preparations in January. Also the Nigeria Football Federation must provide the necessary and needed logistics like the camping venue preferably outside Nigeria for full concentration for the boys to prepare well for the Olympics.

    “After the Xmas holidays I would advise that the boys resume early January like I said for serious and proper preparations for the Olympic Games. As far as I am concerned the team is African Champion but the team cannot win the gold medal of the Olympics with the standard they are now. But with little work on the team and the injection of some players in the needed areas then we can have the confident that the team can surprise all by winning the gold medal in the Olympics,” Chukwu told SportingLife.

  • Rio 2016 Olympics: Martins wants to be an Olympian

    Rio 2016 Olympics: Martins wants to be an Olympian

    • Says Nigeria will rule African football in 2016

    Super Eagles and Seattle sounders  striker, Obafemi Martins wants to play for Nigeria at next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The United States-based striker wants to be selected as one of the three over-aged players in the Nigerian squad.

    Nigerian U-23 coach, Samson Siasia is yet to name his Olympic squad nor invite any player outside the age bracket for the Olympic football tournament.

    “I love my country and I always want to play for my country anytime , if Siasia calls me to represent Nigeria at the Olympic Games in Brazil why not, I am always free to be part of the team , Siasia is a fantastic coach leading the dream team to winning ways in Senegal, so its the dream of every player  to be part of the Olympics, ,”

    Obafemi, who was recently recalled to the Super Eagles team after almost two years, scored 15 goals in the out gone season for Major League Soccer outfit, Seattle Sounders.

    He also  backs Sunday Oliseh to succeed as Nigerian senior national team gaffer, as the Super Eagles next face Egypt in March in a Nations Cup qualifying game

    “I am really happy to be part of the new Super Eagles led by Sunday Oliseh. He is a world class coach , he has played the game before to the highest level and is currently puting that into bear now , but with the little I have seen and working with him I am sure the  Eagles will rule African football in 2016 and qualify for AFCON and World Cup. ,”

     

  • RIO 2016 OLYMPICS: Siasia denies Mikel request

    RIO 2016 OLYMPICS: Siasia denies Mikel request

    Samson Siasia has said he  never discussed including Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, into Nigeria’s 2016 Olympic football squad with anyone.

    The local media was awash with stories that Mikel could be a shock inclusion to the squad with the players reportedly informing an unnamed “source” about his intention to play at the Olympics for Nigeria.

    Siasia has now moved to deny the rumours insisting that no one knows the identities of the players who will make the list.

    “Coach Siasia has not mentioned the name of any player who will be included in the Olympic team so I want to advise the Nigerian media to be patient.

    “When the list of players to be invited is released, it will be made available to the media. This issue of trying to be smart or trying to get exclusive (stories) is not going to help the team.

    “They will only heat up the polity because if eventually,  Siasia does not invite Mikel, there will be talk of the coach having a grudge against the Chelsea player. The coach has neither invited anyone, nor discussed who he plans to invite to the team,” Nigeria’s Under-23 team spokesman, Timi Ebikagboro told supersport.com.

    Mikel was excluded from the 2008 Nigeria Olympic team by Siasia after the Chelsea man failed to take part in the qualifiers for the tournament.

  • Siasia vows to get stronger team for Olympics

    Siasia vows to get stronger team for Olympics

    • Says mother’s kidnap destabilised him

    The Chief Coach of Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia has vowed to mould a very strong team that would be a pride to Africa and Nigeria when the Olympic Football Tournament kicks off next summer.

    Now that we have qualified for the Olympics we need to go all out to solidify this team. The boys have done so well so most of them will be retained while we will bring in quality players that can add strength to this team. This time around we are facing the world and we should be ready to face the world. This time around the biggest target should be winning the gold medal”, Siasia confessed to SportingLife.

    Siasia, as blunt as ever, also revealed that there were lots of hiccups and predicaments that made winning the competition very difficult. He, however, showered encomiums on his players for  weathering the storm to emerge African Champion.

    “Honestly the preparations weren’t the best but we focused on qualifying at least for the Olympics. We had only 12 days in Gambia which other countries that also participated had two months and more for preparing for the same tournament. We had other issues too but I was looking at second place or worst scenario the third place to get to Brazil so that we can have a strong team before the start of the Olympics in Rio. But thank God for these boys, for their perseverance and hard work which eventually paid off.

    “Winning the Africa U- 23 Cup of Nations trophy makes me feel very good. I am relieved not just qualifying for next year’s Olympics in Rio, Brazil but winning the trophy at stake too. It is like putting the icing on a cake. So I am happy that we had a lot of prayers, text messages from Nigerians who actually prayed for us to win

    “We did not worry about the problems we faced during the competition but we played like Champions and we eventually emerged Champions. This was due to hard work on our part and most importantly the prayers of soccer loving Nigerians who supported us all the way and God actually listened to their prayers. So I am very proud of my players and our fans too.

    “As regards the kidnap issue of my mother, sincerely speaking it took a lot out of me. I knew there was nothing I could do in Bayelsa while I was in Senegal. I just tried to think about something else that can inspire me to do well with the team that I have. I was looking at trying to qualify the team for the Olympics and not worried about the kidnap of my mother. As at that time there was nothing I could do about it. I was just calling home and trying to know how we can get her out.

    “Finally it paid off because we qualified for the Olympics and actually won the Cup and my mother was also released. So it was three in one victory. I just thank God for what he has done for me and the team. The prayers of Nigerians and the hard work on the part of the boys eventually paid off”, Siasia told SportingLife.

  • Taekwondo: African Games medalist Ekhator eyes Olympics slot in Algeria

    From 2007, Joy Ekhator has proved her worth by winning medals at her three appearances at the African Games.

    From her maiden appearance in Algiers, where she claimed silver, she had added two bronze medals at the 2011 and 2015 editions of the championship.

    However, her attempt to become the second Nigeria female taekwodist to feature at the Olympics has failed as she could not secure a spot at her appearances at the qualifiers.

    But the Edo State-born athlete who was recently promoted by the Nigeria Police told SportingLife recently that she is hoping that she can make it to Rio 2016 Olympics at the African qualifiers in Algeria next year.

    “I must admit that it has not been easy for me in all appearances at the African Games but I ensured that I did not return home empty-handed. Despite winning medals at the African Games, I have not been able to secure a place at the Olympic Games,” she regretted.

    But, she is not sure whether she would be part of the Nigeria’s four-man team to the Algeria’s qualifiers. “I know that the team that will represent is yet to be decided but I hope I can be part of the team but this time around I won’t make any mistake by making sure I make it to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I am aware that it is the best from the continent that will be at the Qualifiers and everybody is there to make to Brazil. I promise that if I can be part of the team, I won’t make any mistake of not qualifying for the Olympics,” she vowed.

    Ekhator, meanwhile, lauded Chika Chukwumerije for staging an international tournament which has continued to attract world class athletes to Nigeria in the last four years.

    Apart from Princess Dudu who was at the 2014 Athens Olympics in Greece, no Nigerian female athlete has qualified for the Olympics in taekwondo and Ekhator is indeed aiming to equal Dudu’s records.

  • Rio Olympics qualifiers: Siasia contacts Ndidi

    Rio Olympics qualifiers: Siasia contacts Ndidi

    Genk of Belgium ace Wilfred Ndidi has disclosed he has been contacted by Nigeria U-23 coach Samson Siasia to be part of next month’s Rio Olympics qualifier in Senegal.

    “Siasia actually spoke to me when he came to watch the Super Eagles friendlies in Belgium. He said he wants me to be part of his squad for the Olympic qualifiers,” ex-Nath Boys of Lagos star Ndidi revealed.

    “I am always honoured to play for my country but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have to first get my release from my club.”

    The Africa U-23 Nations Cup is not on the FIFA international calendar even though it will serve as a qualifying tournament for next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

    Ndidi, who will be 19 in December, has already featured for Nigeria at U17 and U23 levels.

    He is first and foremost a central defender, but this season he has played as a defensive midfielder for his Belgian club.

    He has won two full international caps against DR Congo and Cameroon during the Eagles recent friendlies in Belgium.