What chances for Team Nigeria as CWG flags off today?
The 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games gets underway in Birmingham today. The Games itself despite being around since 1930 has continued to generate negative and positive comments. Some have questioned the continued existence of the Games which brings together 72 nations and territories of former British Empire. Those in this school of thought say to have kept the Games going appear as if the former colonies are comfortable with their status as colonised countries. After the era of colonisation they insist everything about that era ought to have been confined to history. However another school of thought say the Games has brought about improvement in international relationship and given huge boost to sports development among member nations. This they say has helped athletes achieve their dreams both at the CWG level and beyond. Will the chicken and egg argument ever end?
Certainly not in a jiffy! However back to reality over 5000 athletes will again file out in the battle for Gold, Silver and Bronze. Expectedly Team Nigeria has hit the venue and will be hoping to better their lot. If Gold is to be used as yardstick for judging how a nation has performed then the 1994 edition in Victoria, 2010 in New Delhi,2014 in Glasgow remain the best appearances for Nigeria where she garnered eleven Gold medals at each occasion .
READ ALSO Commonwealth Games set for glitzy launch in Birmingham
The last edition in Gold Coast saw Team Nigeria earn nine Gold medals. Can the team improve on that in Birmingham? Time they say will tell and the event begins. The Nation will feature in seven sports and here are the ambassadors that will carry the flag of the Nation in their various disciplines.
ATHLETICS
Adeyemi Sikiru, Alaba Olukunle Akintola, Amarachukwu Obi, Amene Dubem, Amusan Oluwatobiloba, Ella Onojuevwo, Enekwechi Chukwuebuka, Ese Brume, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Favour Ofili, Favour Oghene-Tejiri Ashe, Godson Oke Oghenebrume, Isa Esther, Joy Udo Gabriel, Mike Edwards, Nnamani Jonson, Nnamdi Chinecerem, Nwokocha Grace, Obiageri Amechi, Ojeli Emmanuel, Olatoye Oyesade, Omovoh Knowkedge, Onyekwere Chioma, Orobosa Anabel Frank, Patience Okon George, Raymond Ekevwo, Rosemay Chukwuma, Ruth Usoro, Samson Nathaniel, Seye Ogunlewe, Temitope Adeshina, Tima Godbless, Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike.
BOXING
ADEYINKA Benson, EGUNJOBI Yetunde, EHWARIEME Innocent, OGUNSEMILORE Cynthia, OSHOBA Elizabeth, OSOBA Abdul-Afeez Osoba, OYEKWERE Ifeanyi, SHOGBAMU Bolanle, UMUNNAKWE Jacinta.
JUDO
ASONYE Joy Oluchi, EDWIN Patrick, JAMES Cecilia Chinyeye, MURITALA Fatai.
PARA-ATHLETICS
ALAM Ugochi, EZEJI Kennedy, GALADIMA Suwaibidu, IYIAZI Njideka, NWACHUKWU Goodness.
PARA-POWERLIFTING
IBRAHIM Abdulazeez, IKECHUKWU Obichukwu, MARK Onyinyechi, NNAMDI Innocent, OLUWAFEMIAYO Folashade, OMOLAYO Bose, THOMAS Kure, TIJANI Latifat.
PARA-TABLE TENNIS
AGUNBIADE Tajudeen, IKPEOYI Ifechukwude, OBAZUAYE Faith, OBIORA Chinenye Faith, OGUNKUNLE Isau, OLUFEMI Alabi Olabiyi, SULE Nasiru.
TABLE TENNIS
AMADI Omeh, ARUNA Quadri, BELLO Fatima Atinuke, BODE Abiodun, OFFIONG Edem, OJOMO Ajoke*** , OLAJIDE Adeyemi Omotayo, ORIBAMISE Esther, OSHONAIKE Funke.
WEIGHTLIFTING
EMMANUEL Appah, EZE Joy Ogbonne, ISLAMIYAT Adebukola, OLARINOYE Adijat, OSIJO Mary Taiwo, RABIATU Folashade, STELLA Peters Kingsley, TAIWO Ladi, UMOAFIA Joseph.
WRESTLING
ADEKUOROYE Mercy, ADEKUOROYE Odunayo, AMAS Daniel, EBIKEWENIMO Welson, EKEREKEME Agiomor, GENESIS Mercy, KOLAWOLE Esther, OBORODUDU Blessing, OGBONNA Emmanuel John, REUBEN Hannah.