Nigerian athletics coaches call for improved performance

Lagos (Nigeria), Aug 21 (IANS)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – AUGUST 16: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica crosses the line to win gold ahead of Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria (L) in the Women’s 200 metres final during Day Seven of the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 at Luzhniki Stadium at Luzhniki Stadium on August 16, 2013 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Three Nigerian coaches have called for improvement in the country’s performance in athletics in spite of its achievements at the recently concluded World Championships in Moscow.

Nigeria won two medals – silver and bronze – from the event which was held from Aug 10-18. Twenty athletes represented the country at the competition. The two medals were won by Blessing Okagbare. He won the silver in long jump and bronze in the 200m race, reports Xinhua.

Retired athletics coach Harrison Momoh Tuesday said the performance of Nigerian athletes at the competition showed that they were not fully prepared.

“It is a good thing we were able to win two medals but looking at the fact that we had 20 athletes, that is a poor result. I hope that this will not repeat itself. We should not depend on one athlete alone,” he said.

Jump coach Sule Olademeji urged the athletes to improve their performances.

“We should take it from here and move forward with the support of the government and the media. But it is regrettable that only Okagbare was able to win the medals for the country,” he added.

Another sprint coach Isaac Osagie hailed Okagbare and urged improvement in the performance of all Nigerian athletes.

Nigeria finished 24th in the championships’ medal table out of a total 38 teams.