Olympics: Keep supporting our athletes, sports minister urges Nigerians

The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has called on Nigerians to support Nigerian athletes participating in the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics.

According to a post on his X account on Thursday, he said, “Our athletes are giving their best and making us proud. D’Tigress made the nation proud, and there’s no shame in losing to the world’s number 1 ranked team. They struck a high note and made a statement even at the quarterfinal match with 74 – 88.

“The first African team ever to get to the quarter-finals, they have moved four ranks up on the power ranking table. We are proud of them. Their games have been spectacular.

“Ese Ukpeseraye was the only African cyclist amongst the 30 cyclists at the Olympics. Uchenna Ogazi, after 36 years, made the finals of the men’s 400m race, and Favour Ofili had a good run and has shown great dexterity.
Let’s keep rooting for our athletes.”

Similarly, in a statement issued by the Director of Information, Ministry of Sports Development, Kehinde Ajayi, and obtained from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s X account on Wednesday, the minister urged Nigerian athletes to persist and exhibit their talents and tenacity in the true spirit of Nigerian sportsmanship.

Emphasising the significance of resilience and determination in the face of the challenging events, Enoh expressed his confidence in the athletes’ potential to secure medals, given the unwavering support they have gained.

“We take pride in each athlete representing Nigeria. You carry the aspirations and ambitions of the nation, and we stand firmly beside you as you strive for greatness. Let the world witness the fortitude and resolve of Nigerians,” he affirmed.

The Nigerian athletes encountered setbacks in the track and field events on Friday, as the nation’s hope of crowning its first woman to qualify for the final in the high jump dimmed early at the Stade de France.

High jumper Temitope Adeshina, failed to clear the 1.97m qualification mark set for the event, falling short of the top 12 competitors progressing to the finals.

Adeshina, who had previously set a Nigerian record of 1.97m in the event less than two months ago, struggled to surpass 1.92m after successfully clearing 1.88m on her second attempt, ultimately finishing 19th in the final standings. She now joins Doreen Amata as the two Nigerians who have participated in the event without achieving the height required to secure a spot in the finals. Amata’s attempts in the event in 2008, 2012, and 2016 did not match her feat at the World Championships in 2011, where she reached the final in Daegu, South Korea.

Prior to Adeshina’s setback, sprinter Tima Godbless stumbled at the initial hurdle in the 100m semifinal.

As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games enters its 12th day, Team Nigeria is set to compete in a series of exciting events across athletics, wrestling, cycling, and basketball. Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress will face the USA in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup, while Samuel Ogazi will attempt to win a medal in the men’s 400m final event.

Also, queen of the tracks, Oluwatibiloba Amusan, will compete in heat 1 of the women’s 100m hurdles, as she attempts to win her first Olympics medal.