By Ikeddy Isiguzo
THE Commonwealth Games have been the Games for us. There were some surprises about the performance of Team Nigeria . With the minimal preparations, Nigeria was on the way to her best Commonwealth Games since her first appearance in 1950.

If no other medals are won after the 8 gold, 7 silver 11 bronze that were in the kitty by Monday, the result would still be Nigeria ’s second best at the Games, next to the 11 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals that she won in Victoria , Canada in 1994. With three days of competition left, chances are great that the marks in Victoria could be exceeded.

Yet there are challenges ahead. The main characters in the team that was prosperous in Canada 16 years ago, turned up as the Olympic team in Atlanta , two years later, to showcase Nigeria ’s best appearance at the Olympic Games.

Is New Delhi a pointer to the results that would issue from the London Olympics in 2012? Now is the time to start that dream, it must be said however, that the tenacity of Team Nigeria to New Delhi is worth praising.

The downside of this performance is not only the positive drug test that was reported.

Nigeria has a big problem with preparing for big Games. The resources for these Games come so late that the uncertainties they create deal damaging blows to the psyche of our teams. This has been going on for years.

There are two other lessons that we have refused to learn. We have ignored the linkages between the big Games. The All Africa Games are a year away from the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games are two years away from the Olympic – meaning that if we planned and applied our resources correctly, the gains of these Games would be easily transferred to improve performances in the next Games.

A minor side to that is that by virtue of their placing in New Delhi , competitors in certain sports have improved their chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games, in the same way that points earned at the All Africa Games count in those sports. It could be said that the road to London starts in New Delhi .

We have also neglected the place of our women in sports. From the All Africa Games, through the Olympic and again at the Commonwealth Games, the women have proven that they can deliver the nation.

Medals from the women in New Delhi doubled the men’s collections so far. A trait we shared with Australia , Canada , Singapore , Botswana , and Cayman , Uganda . A couple of other countries have their men and women tied in the number of prime medals they have won.

If we want to win more medals at Games, we have to pay more attention to our women. It is actually heartening that since the All Africa Games in 2003, Team Nigeria has maintained parity in rewarding athletes, not minding gender or their sports.

Congratulations Team Nigeria , you can pull in more surprises, the right surprises.

Your Emails

Eagles Marching For Aba

THE heinous crimes of bank_robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities have turned our beloved Aba into a disgusting metropolis. Aba that used to be the envy of all cities of Nigeria , noted for her unique kindred_spirit, brotherly love and commerce has been under constant barrage of terror and fear. The pride and image of Nigeria was further dented when school children were abducted recently.

In spite of the herculean effort made by the Nigerian Army and other security operatives to tame the monster of criminality in Aba , prominent and industrious residents have fled the city leaving the busy commercial city virtually deserted.

Granted, security operatives have done a great job in controlling the situation but residents of Aba must equally do their bit to rise up to the security challenges they are facing in order to reclaim their balkanised city.

It is our collective belief that criminality is a socially_rooted challenge and therefore needs re_awakening of the consciousness of the residents, adoptions of masses approach. This approach would sensitise the people of Aba and galvanise an awareness campaign that would very likely negate this social malaise. Here, the media will play a vital role.

On behalf of ex_footballers of Aba origin, we solicit your esteemed cooperation for this peaceful march.

These global icons of the game who represented Nigeria in the World Cup, Olympics and Africa Nations Cup will grace the peaceful march on Tuesday October 19: Emeka Ezeugo (MON), Uche Okechukwu (MON), Ben Iroha (MON), Chidi Nwanu (MON), Mike Emenalo (MON), Ike Uche, Kalu Uche, Obinna Nwaneri, Pascal Ojigwe, Onyekachi Apam, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Ndukwe Chukwu, Isaac Okoronkwo, Emeka Ifejiagwa, Phillip Osondu to mention a few.

We are counting on you and others, to help us in every way you can to actualise this conscious project.
Emeka EZEUGO  [email protected]

Re: Still In Court
I READ your article and completely agree with you. What do you expect from people without pedigree whose ambition is to loot the FA? We have seen people without jobs or businesses and in four years have amassed so much money. Have they served themselves or Nigeria ?

They are still fighting because the Statues they mutilated are in their favour. It is good to settle this matter out of court,  but the issue of the Statues must be addressed to accommodate School Sports, Armed Forces etc and not only “AGBEROS”.

Some people must go to jail to bring this madness to an end. GOD BLESS NIGERIA .
Emma OKARO, Brig Gen rtd.  [email protected]

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