All the same,we have the medals.
Nigerian athletes surprised even themselves, when they recorded a harvest of gold medals at the Commonwealth Games that ended yesterday in New Delhi, India.

Nigerian Athletes

Before the start of the Games, Nigerians nursed fickle hopes about the chances of their athletes winning medals in New Delhi 2010. But right from day one, the likes of Augustina Nwokolo, Senivie Boltic, Christiana Nwoye, Ajoke Odumosu and others started to rake in gold, silver and bronze.

Some of the athletes and coaches who were interviewed during the course of the Games, concluded that they won medals to honor their names. This was because Nigerian sports administrators did not measure up to their responsibilities in preparations for the Games.

“If we came here thinking about the backwardness of our sports, we wouldn’t have won medals. I came here not thinking about Nigeria’s problems, I just wanted to win,” said Nwaokolo who won a 48kg gold.

Her teammate in the 75kg category Hadiza Zakari, added that it was just cheer determination on her
path that gave her success in New Delhi.

“I don’t even want to talk about our poor facilities. I closed my mind to them and came here with the determination to win,” said Hadiza.

Women 400m hurdles champion Ajoke Odumosu didn’t hide her thoughts on the subject.
“I had a frustrating time on my way here. But I just had to ignore all that and do what I had to do.”

One of the accompanying officials saidthat Nigerian did not deserve all the medals that she won in the Commonwealth Games.

“It was just by the grace of God and the determination of our athletes. We didn’t prepare and even at that look at our facilities back home.

“Take for instance the Canadian wrestling team we fought against. They had about a million dollar vote from their government to aid their training towards the Games. And what did we do?” sighed the coach