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By Peter Akinbo
Retired table tennis player and five-time Olympian, Bose Kaffo, has called on Nigerian male athletes to raise their game at Paris 2024 Olympics, emphasising that the country’s hopes for medals cannot solely rest on female athletes.
Speaking in an interview with SportsBoom, Kaffo acknowledged the impressive performances of Nigeria’s female athletes but stressed the need for their male counterparts to up the ante and match their success.
“We have the likes of Tobi Amusan and other ladies competing at the highest level. Nobody will go to the Olympics without being prepared because every step in the games can lift you to another height. The Olympic Games are the apex for any athlete. So, the men must step up,” Kaffo insisted.
The seven-time African Games gold medalist also highlighted the challenges in Nigeria’s preparation for the Games, noting that winning an Olympic medal requires years of investment and planning.
“The Olympics medal is not something you are going to win within three years; you have to invest like six years of hard work. You need to have concrete plans on the ground,” she added.
Taiwo Popoola, Vice President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, echoed Kaffo’s sentiments, emphasising the need for continued investment in coaches and administrators to enhance Nigeria’s overall performance.
“We must continue to train the administrators so that they can impart good knowledge to the athletes, both men and women. We must avoid the issue of drugs and all,” Popoola stated.
Chioma Ajunwa’s achievement in 1996 stands her out as Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medalist, further underscoring the persistent trend of Nigeria’s female athletes consistently outperforming their male counterparts.
This trend continued at the 2000 Sydney Games, where Gloria Alozie secured a silver medal in the women’s 110m hurdles, salvaging Nigeria’s presence on the podium.
In the most recent Tokyo Games, Team Nigeria won two medals, both from women: Brume, who claimed bronze in the women’s long jump, and Blessing Oborududu, who won silver in wrestling.
As the 2024 Paris Games, which begin on Friday, continue, attention remains focused on Nigeria’s female athletes, giving credence to Kaffo’s call, a reminder that a balanced team effort is crucial for Nigeria’s Olympic success.