Nigeria’s chances of winning a lot of medals (Gold, Silver and bronze) at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, is in doubt.
Nigeria is scheduled to compete at this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
There are several sports – Football, Rugby Sevens, Handball and Archery – running before the Opening Ceremony on Friday.
A whopping 32 sports are featured in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
DAILY POST reports that a total of 87 athletes will represent Nigeria in 12 different sports at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The sports are athletics, taekwondo, swimming, boxing, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, canoeing, cycling, football (women) and basketball (women).
DAILY POST reports that the sports Team Nigeria will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympic are below average when compared to the total number of featured sports events.
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has already called for Nigerians to throw their weight behind the nation throughout the games.
Enoh also stated that his aspiration is for Team Nigeria to surpass its best Olympic outing achieved at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
He said: “We are confident that with the support of every Nigerian, our team will excel and make the nation proud.
“Let’s unite in support of our athletes as they embark on this remarkable journey.
“Our aspiration is not just to participate but to excel and bring home the medals.”
Enoh also promised that the Olympic Games allowances and winning bonuses will be given to ensure Nigerian athletes perform well.
He added: “The entire 100 million naira contributed by the Federal House of Representatives will be given to the athletes.
“Additionally, domestic camping allowances, foreign training grants, foreign training allowances, Olympic Games allowances, and winning bonuses will be given to ensure our athletes are well-supported.”
Speaking with DAILY POST, Isa Saleh, Co-founder of Borno Junior League, expressed his doubt that Team Nigeria will win many medals for the country.
Saleh cited poor preparation, lack of world standard sporting facilities in the country and below average number of participants in the total featured sports event at Paris 2024 Olympics.
“Well, it is good that Nigeria will be participating in the 2024 Olympics in Paris,” Saleh said.
“I congratulate the athletes who will represent Nigeria on the global stage and I wish them well.
“Nigerians should ensure they support these athletes in every way when the Games starts.
“Having said that, one of the doubts I have concerning Team Nigeria that could limit their chances of winning medals is due to the fact that they will only participate in 12 sporting events.
“If you look at that number, it is not even up to half of the total number of 32 sports events that will take place in Paris.
“Obviously it has limited our chances in terms of winning a lot of medals.
“Also, the sporting events Team Nigeria will participate in, I am not satisfied with the preparation prior to the Paris Olympics. The Olympics are conducted every four years.
“I doubt if Team Nigeria have been preparing for the last four years for this Paris Olympics because to only partake in 12 out of 32 sports events is not really good. It is below average.
“I am sorry to say this but the result could reflect in our performances when the Olympics commence this week.
“Also the issue of quality world-class sporting facilities has always been a challenge for the sports industry in Nigeria. That is why it is hard for Nigeria to get the right to host any big competition like AFCON, World Cup,” he further stated.
DAILY POST reports that Nigeria’s contingent for Paris 2024 Olympic encompasses talented and world-class athletes such as Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume, Blessing Oborodudu, the two Favours (Ashe and Ofili), Odunayo Adekouroye, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Aruna Quadri, among other names.
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