Duro Ikhazuagbe
28 August 2008
Abuja — A new dimension was yesterday added to Nigeria's dismal outing at the just concluded Beijing Olympic Games when Pillar of Sports Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu blamed it on the non-recognition of Enyimba's continental feat in 2003.
Kalu who did not expect any gold medal, even from the Dream Team berated government rather than the athletes for the country's dwindling fortunes in sports.
"Nigeria can not excel in international sports competitions until government hearken to the cries of Enyimba players who were never rewarded for winning the CAF Champions League, 35 years after the nation's debut through Stationery Stores," Kalu said.
The former Abia State Governor argued that ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo used Enyimba to settle political scores with him.
"Obasanjo deliberately refused to celebrate Enyimba because I was involved. Even when the team retained the trophy in 2004, he denied them plots of land promised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir El-Rufai. Their tears are yet to dry and you can see the effect on Nigerian sports," Kalu explained.
"That 2003 team was One Nigeria. From Hausa land came Yusuf Mohammed and Abu Musa. Yoruba interest was represented by Seyi Ogunsanya and Ajibade Omolade. Ndigbo had players like Obinna Nwaneri and Romanus Orjinta. The middle-belt offered David Tyavkase, Vincent Enyeama stood in for Niger Delta. The side even had ECOWAS brothers in Joetex Frimpong and Muri Ogounbiyi.
Yet Obasanjo failed to honour them. Compare that with the national awards given Al-Ahli players by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, for equaling Enyimba's giant strides." Kalu added.
The Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) President recalled the post-Enyimba tales of woe to include the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Algiers 2007 All Africa Games and now the Beijing 2008.
On a lighter note he showered praises on Chika Chukwumerije for his bronze medal winning feat in.
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