Fresh facts have emerged that Team Nigeria had lost 65 medals before the 9th All Africa Games commenced in Algiers on July 11.
Coordinator of Team Nigeria to the games Brown Ebewele said it was clear from the start that the national team would not win the competition.
He said the host country, Algeria, designed the show to suit its chances of winning and adopted various tactics to frustrate the top contending countries from achieving their goals in the event.
Ebewele also explained that 41 gold medals were lost before Team Nigerian departed the country, as the powerlifting event that had 21 gold medals at stake was cancelled while the table tennis event of special sports, which had 20 medals at stake, was cancelled by the host.
In addition, the Algerians cancelled the dwarf games that had 20 medals and sprint events of special sports with four gold medals.
The Algerians introduced sailing, fencing, rowing, water polo and equestrian to boost their chances of emerging tops.
Ebewele said, "It was clear that we were at a big disadvantage from the start of the competition. We were thinking about making up for the 41 gold medals lost and the team got here only for the Algerians to cancel events that attract 24 gold medals.
"I think we were able to make the best of the situation because it was amazing that we recorded up to 50 gold medals despite these setbacks," he said.
"If we had decided to protest and contest their actions, the games would not have concluded but that will not be a good image for Nigeria," he said. "They did all sorts of things in the special sports events and also ensured that all the officials were from Algeria."
Ebewele however conceded that the country dropped some medals in its other areas of strength at the games.
"I cannot understand how we lost the two gold medals in volleyball, four in boxing, three in table tennis and three in tennis. We did well in these events in Abuja and should have consolidated," the Edo State Commissioner of Sports said.
The former national athlete advised the country to widen its scope by participating at multi-events on the continent in the future, adding that sports such as swimming and gymnastics should be given attention by the government.
"We have to take deliberate steps to groom swimmers and gymnasts that will be good enough to give us medals at future games. Rowing, sailing and fencing are also not alien to us. We have to work toward embracing all sports to get the best results in a competition of this magnitude," he said.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article