By Jonathan Ugbal
As predicted, Team Nigeria has picked up on the medals table as the Athletics segment commenced earlier this week at the 13th African Games ongoing in Ghana.
Tobi Amusan anchored the Nigerian women’s 4X100m team comprising Justina Eyakpobeyan, Olajide Olayinka, and Fore Abinusawa to win gold on Wednesday.
The quartet dusted their counterparts in Liberia and Ghana to silver and bronze respectively in 43.06 seconds.
Amusan, alongside Ese Brume had met with the Sports Development Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh on Monday ahead of the Athletics segment commencement.
In the men’s race, Sunday Israel Okon, Consider Ekanem, Alaba Akintola, and Usheoritse Itsekiri raced to gold in 38.41 seconds.
Meanwhile, Omolara Ogunmakinju is currently being hailed as a game changer, says Enoh’s spokesperson, Diana-Mary Nsan.
“She finished the mixed relay outstandingly with a dash that only a champion can. A very huge surprise, wowing the entire spectators at the stadium who thought hitherto a winner had emerged while the race was still on,” Nsan told CrossRiverWatch in a short statement.
“Please note that Omolara took five years off the tracks to have two lovely children. This is indeed a huge comeback,” she added.
Similarly, the Minister hailed Elizabeth Anyanacho for winning the Gold Medal for Nigeria in Taekwondo after defeating Mohammed Aya of Egypt who is currently ranked number 1 in Africa.
Anyanacho dusted Aya in just three rounds of fight on the mat.
lso, Nsan disclosed that the Minister has, on Monday visited Ibrahim Abdullahi, an athlete who suffered a tension pneumothorax which triggered a Cardiac arrest during his Judo match.
“At the time of the visitation, Dr. Ofei-Labi his Cardiothoracic Surgeon confirmed his fitness to be discharged from the hospital having spent about a week and his post-discharge management. The Sports Minister has seen modalities for his safe return back to Nigeria,” she said.
In Wrestling, Team Nigeria secured more medals to add to the six recorded earlier in the tournament.
“Christianah Ogunsanya exhibited sheer dominance, overpowering Chahrazed Ayachi of Tunisia with a superiority score of 10-0 to claim the gold medal in the 53KG category,” a statement signed by Nsan read.
It continued, “Odunayo Adekuoroye, a force to be reckoned with, secured her 8th African title in the 57kg class by pinning chaimaa Aouissi of Egypt.
Kolawale Esther showcased her prowess by overwhelming Farah Hussein of Egypt with a commanding 11-0 victory, clinching her second African senior title in the 62kg category.
Blessing Oborududu, an icon in the sport, triumphed over Osman Badran of Egypt with a resounding 12-2 superiority decision, earning her 14th African crown in the 68kg division. Despite a gallant effort, Hannah Reuben secured the silver medal in the 76kg category after a hard-fought battle with Zainab Sghair.”
She said the Minister commended the Daniel Igali-led Wrestling Federation for the feat which comes on the heels of their performance at the African Senior Wrestling Championship in Alexandria, Egypt.
In football, the Falconets are billed to meet the host nation, Ghana in the finals at Cape Coast by 8 PM GMT (9 PM Nigerian time) after defeating Uganda in the semi-finals.
The Minister had also paid them a visit, charging them to bring home the gold medal.
Nigeria remains second on the medal table behind Egypt which has already solidified its first place in the games.
