Team Nigerian officials were jolted yesterday with the official release of the Medals Table of the on-going 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique which saw South Africa in pole position with 20 gold medals while Nigeria with one gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals occupy the 8th position in the 17-Nation Games.
But Sports Minister, Alhaji Yussuf Suleiman was unruffled when he said that Nigerians should not worry as the tables would soon be turned insisting that Team Nigeria would finish among the first three nations on the medals table.
South Africa lead the table with 20 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze while Egypt are second with 8 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze and Tunisia are third with 5 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze medals respectively.
The Sports Minister while briefing the Press yesterday at the Southern Sun Hotel to calm nerves said that there was nothing to be afraid of as Nigeria would soon hit the top with the commencement of Nigeria’s powerhouse like Athletics, Table Tennis men and women singles and others.
“It is normal to see this as South Africa have reaped from their catchment areas like Swimming. The tide will change once we enter into our special areas. One thing I know is that we are still in contention to finish among the first three nations in the Games”, Suleiman who was flanked by the Director General of the Nationals Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji, Chef de Mission to the Games, Alhaji Alhassan Yakmut and other top Government functionaries declared.
He however frowned on the cancellation of some sports where Team Nigeria had comparative advantage like Wrestling, Weightlifting and Powerlifting but noted that it was not enough reason for Team Nigeria not to do well.
“Yes, you know that those areas of our strength have been reduced but we should not use that as an excuse. I am confident that Team Nigeria will bounce back once our other key areas begin. I implore Nigerians here in Mozambique to support and cheer their players.
We have seen how support turns things around with the way Mozambique support their players”.
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