Glasgow 2014: Heroic praises for Team Nigeria medalists

The 2014 Commonwealth games ended Sunday night on a high note with Team Nigeria finishing eight on the overall medals’ table. A string of silver medals on the competition ensured Nigeria finished with 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals.

The final tally of 11 gold medals attained this time equals the previous bests attained first in Victoria, Canada in 1994 and then at the 2010 edition in New, Delhi India.

All hope of Team Nigeria surpassing the 2010 edition of the Commonwealth Games where the country won 11 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze was dashed as track and field athletes could not pick any of the gold medals on display on the final day of competition in events entered for by Nigeria.

Instead, three silver medals were picked to place Nigeria in the eight position with 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze.

It meant Team Nigeria could not surpass the 11 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze won in India in the 2010 edition, thereby making the 1994 edition in Canada where the team won 11 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals as the best performance so far.

Team Nigerian Para-power lifters Esther Onyema and Lovelyn Obiji also did the nation proud by setting two new world records on the opening day of the Para-power lifting at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Scotland.

Onyema and Obiji won gold medals in the women’s lightweight and heavyweight class respectively to set the records.

Onyema lifted a weight of 136.0kg to set the new world record in the lightweight, while Obiji lifted 122.4kg to set the new world record in the heavyweight class.

Bose Omolaye, another Nigerian, took silver in the heavyweight class behind Obiji after she lifted a weight of 113kg, while Joyce Njuguna won bronze with 68.6kg.

Despite the inability to set a new mark, the heroics of the likes of Blessing Okagbare who set a new Games Record in the 100m Women’ s event, and went on to complete a sprint double with victory in the 200m, will remain fresh in the memories of sports lovers around the world.

Nigerian wrestlers were not missing in the action as they accounted for 14 of the 36 medals won by Team Nigeria at the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Team Nigeria entered for six sports – athletics, boxing, shooting, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis and two para-sports (power-lifting and para-table tennis).

Wrestling however amassed two gold, two silver and eight bronze medals.

Tammy Danagogo, sports minister and chairman of National Sports Commission, had re-assured Team Nigeria contingent that President Goodluck Jonathan, as part of his love for excellence in sports, will also roll out the red carpets to honour the deserving athletes who have done well for their fatherland.

Danagogo  hailed the performance of double gold medallist, Okagbare as well as other medalists in Team Nigeria for making the country proud at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, describing them as pride of the Nigerian nation.

The minister praised Okagbare for making history by becoming the first Nigerian to win double sprint gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, Patrick Omorodion, his special assistant on media, disclosed.

“Okagbare has shown that with determination you can achieve your dream in whatever endeavour you set out for yourself. She has been consistent over the years and has remained focused despite missing the ultimate medal in some competitions before now,” he said.

“I want to congratulate all other gold medalists, as well as those who won silver and bronze for their effort as well and hope that they will build on their successes in Glasgow for future competitions especially as we begin preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil,” Danagogo stressed.

He also commended Emmanuel Uduaghan and Seriake Dickson, governors of Delta and Bayelsa States, for their relentless support for athletes from their states who represent Nigeria at international sports competition.

Governor of Delta state was here (Glasgow) to support his athletes. So also was the Governor of Bayelsa who came to personally support the wrestlers who are from his state.

A total of 46 organisations took part in the Games, with the sponsor programme exceeding targets set and playing a big part in the overall commercial target of £100m.

The tournament saw over 3,000 athletes, officials, and Games Family members from 33 Commonwealth Nations and Territories travelled to or from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on an Emirates service.

Glasgow 2014 has been in good company, with a wide range of brands from around Scotland, the UK and worldwide. Without the valuable contribution of these sponsors, the Games would not have been possible.

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 chief executive, said: “I’d like to say thank you to each and every sponsor of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games for the vital contribution you have made to the success of the Games and the commercial legacy we leave behind.  The support we have received from our 46 sponsors during our shared journey to the Games has been unrelenting and supportive.”

ANTHONY NLEBEM