BY ISAAC AFOLABI

As team Nigeria are set to compete with other nations in this years Olympics in Tokyo Japan, some sports analyst have expressed the hope that the team would not return empty handed.

The city of Tokyo and other game venues will again come alive with sports men and women competing in various sporting activities after the quadrennial game was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic which ripped through most countries of the world..

Organisers of the global event have however put in place measures to ensure the staging of the competition even in the face of the third wave of the pandemic.

Such measures include restriction of movement order on international fans and regular medical check by players.

Team Nigeria have settled down in their various camps and are ready to compete in 10 sports such as Wrestling, Table tennis, Long jump, Basketball, Shot put among others.

Speaking on the expectations of Nigerians from the home based teamsp,  an Olympian and the secretary general Nigerian Olympians Association,  Mr Lawrence Adegbehingbe was optimistic that Nigeria would not return without a medal.

Though not satisfied with the preparation of athletes towards the game,  Mr Adegbehingbe, a former Nigerian sprinter who competed in the 1984 Olympics noted that the new set of foreign based athletes would spring suprises for the nation.

Chairman of sports writers association of Nigeria, Ondo state chapter,  Mr Wahab Bankole was elated with the enthusiasm so far displayed by players, saying this could be their year of record breaking.

Another sports analyst, Mr Dayo Johnson was of the opinion that games like Wrestling, Basketball and long jump could fetch  Nigeria a medal but warned athletes to steer clear of ban substances.

Team Nigeria led by the minister of youths and sports development Mr Sunday Dare are  parading sixty athletes for ten different games.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *