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| AFN President, Solomon Ogba |
In a system where order and respect for the other is
observed, lying, deceit and fraud will be absent. I broke the story and
insisted that the Banker Marathoner NEVER qualified for the Olympics, she was never
in the Games Village, her name is NOT on the list.
They replied that she was a non-qualified athlete. I
checked the rules and found out they lied.
They have couched their lies in Father Xmas' garb that
injury ruled her out. This is how not to lie in a civilised but organised
world.
See the Vanguard newspaper story below reported
by Tony Ubani.
"As the
London 2012 Olympics women marathon is decided, Nigeria's previously listed
entry Esther Obiekwe continues to lament her ouster from the race due to
injury.
She would
have made history by becoming the first Nigerian non-professional athlete to
participate in the Games, but after straining her ankle in an off-field
incident, she was withdrawn from the event.
"As the
only amateur slated for this race my sole aim is to depict the Olympic slogan
which is to "inspire a generation," said the running banker.
Obiekwe who
has participated in several of the world marathon majors as the sole Nigerian
representative, including Berlin and Boston Marathons.
She was
tapped by Athletics Federation of Nigeria as an exempt (non qualified)
participant in the marathon, and she with Diamond Bank personally financed her
travel and participation as an exempt athlete meaning AFN bore non of the
costs.
"Given
my times relative to the Olympic field, it is crucial I step to the starting
line at peak fitness, so I represent my country with pride and honor. I now
recognize I am unable to ensure this"
Over 120
women are in the start list of the race to be run this morning. The top three
athletes barring any circumstances are Mary Keitany of Kenya, Tiki Gelena and
Meriga Asefech of Ethiopia.
Questions
I cannot answer from a fan
That is American exceptionalism for
you.....If US is not hosting anything, forget it! On our country-land, who can
tell that Olusoji Fasuba of Nigeria ran a fastest time: 9.85 at Doha Grand
Prix in 2006.
Where is our Mary Onyali of Atlanta
Olympics? Where are our Olympic boxers like Peter Konyegwachie & co?
Where have our Tennis champions gone?
Nigeria has gone to the dogs...very
shameful!
Despite having a population of just 3
million people, Jamaica has won 14 Olympic gold medals - many of them in
sprinting.
Jamaicans continue to dominate the
100m - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce retained her Olympic 100m title in London on
Saturday, becoming the first woman since American Gail Devers in 1992 and 1996
to win back-to-back 100m titles at an Olympic Games.
Another Jamaican, Veronica
Campbell-Brown, took the bronze. Bolt famously took gold in Bejing four years
ago and Sunday night, there are Jamaicans in all the top three spots.
Nigeria with its 167 million people
is virtually missing at the Olympics.
I saw a lady from Botswana in the
400m finals, while our athletes crashed in the semis.
Giant of Africa indeed!
It makes me cry because the saddest thing is that the
problem is not a dearth of talents, but administrative ineptitude.
The question you were asked can be treated simple with focuses on the Local Government Councils, they have this funds to germinate talents; through direct employment to sports recreational centers within their domain "Do we have it"? It's psychological,bottom top approach with cooperate sponsorship elite athletes will begin to emerge and more people would be involve and the Industry will strive......Health of many will improve...Think deep and deeper man, lets take the campaign to their door step, we can get it right again by this means!
ReplyDeleteJide, I must confess that you are doing a good job here. You need to be encouraged. I will continue to remember you in my prayers all in the interest of the Nigerian sports.
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