Team Nigeria eye medals at Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires
Also speaking in the same vein, coach, Rufus Adeyemi said he is unperturbed by the talents his athlete will compete against in Argentina.
According to him, he has competed in the past with the best from around the world. “We are going to Argentina to do our best. This is not our first competition with white people.
“We have competed against them in Rwanda, Algeria, Egypt and I have the confidence that our athlete, Islamiyat Yusuf will do best and bring glory to Nigeria”, he declared.
In a similar way, the wrestling coach, Purity Aku also declared the team’s readiness to win laurels during the Games.
“I have two athletes and they are going for 65kg and 43kg categories. I am so confident that they are going to win medals by the special grace of God.
“They competed in African championships in Port Harcourt, competed in the World Wrestling Championship in Croatia and now in the Olympics,” he said.
Similarly, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr Solomon Dalung speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola admonished the athletes to avoid eating foods other than the ones approved by the coaching crew to avoid taking in substances which are not approved by the anti-doping agents.
Dalung also encouraged them to be kind, considerable but should go for the victory.
“While we want you to excel, we want you to keep your heads upright by not engaging in activities that will taint your character and person.”
“Athletes should not eat anything without approval from the team to avoid been banned for doping. Follow camp rules, he noted.”
While speaking on the preparations so far, the minister praised the coaching crew just as he acknowledged their high competitive spirit.
“Their spirit is very high as they know they are not working for Nigeria or competing for the sake of money but as we have interacted with them, they are working for their career.”
“We have inculcated in them that passion as they are going to compete with their colleagues more importantly, they are going to compete clean without any stain.”
“They are not under pressure to deliver. It’s in them to deliver and are working hard,” he said.
Meanwhile, the secretary general of Nigeria Olympics Committee, Mr Tunde Popoola has further urged the team to avoid taking in just anything into their system as the NOC has zero tolerance for doping.
He admonished them to ask questions always and protect the integrity of Nigeria while acknowledging that the Olympics Games is the toughest competition in the world.
“Don’t take drinks from any person in the camp. We are in competitive world that anything can be used against us. Some teams can be unfair about it”, he warned.
The team which departed Nigeria on Tuesday and arrived Argentina on Wednesday evening.
Team Nigeria is camped in the Games Village which will house 6,286 residents, comprising of athletes, coaches and sports federation representatives.
The 2018 Youth Olympic Games will end on the 16th of October in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I have two athletes and they are going for 65kg and 43kg categories. I am so confident that they are going to win medals by the special grace of God.