Rio 2016: Mikel named Team Nigeria Captain
Wed Jul 27, 2016 02:18:pm Sports
4.3K By Buchi Obichie
Super Eagles star player, Mikel Obi, has been named Captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
He would be assisted by 40year old table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, who will be making her sixth appearance at the games after her debut appearance at Atlanta '96.
This would be Mikel's first appearance at the Olympic Games, after he turned down the opportunity to be part of Nigeria's football squad to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. According to a statement by the Media Assistant to the Minister of Sports, Nneka Anibeze, "Mikel and Oshonaike were chosen because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments."
Nigeria's Chef- de- Mission at the games, Christian Ohaa, said, "Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the up-and-coming athletes while Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and project the country's image positively to the world."
Meanwhile, differing opinions have trailed the announcement. Former Super Eagles defender Abdul Sule stated, "I think Mikel was chosen because of his track record. He is playing for a big club like Chelsea and he's won so many laurels as a sportsman. Even though this is his first appearance at the Olympics, I think it's a good choice."
Sports journalist Colin Udoh said he would have preferred either multi-talented athlete, Blessing Okagbare, or veteran table tennis star Segun Toriola, who will be attending his seventh Olympics in Rio, to lead the country at the global games.
He tweeted, "Happy for Mikel but I think it's a poor decision by @SolomonDalung and Sports Ministry. Segun Toriola (7th Olympics) is a much better choice. Toriola's record of qualifying for seven Olympic Games is peerless and richly epitomises the Olympic spirit. Plus his leadership/experience
"Outside of Toriola, Blessing Okagbare also stands out as a better choice. This will be her third Olympics, and she has global recognition. Both Toriola and Okagbare have the respect of teammates and the international Olympic community. These are much better choices in my humble opinion I'm not sure how the decision was made, especially since this is not a strong Dream Team (football team) and they could be out by the group phase."
The games are slated to begin on August 5.
He would be assisted by 40year old table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, who will be making her sixth appearance at the games after her debut appearance at Atlanta '96.
This would be Mikel's first appearance at the Olympic Games, after he turned down the opportunity to be part of Nigeria's football squad to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. According to a statement by the Media Assistant to the Minister of Sports, Nneka Anibeze, "Mikel and Oshonaike were chosen because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments."
Nigeria's Chef- de- Mission at the games, Christian Ohaa, said, "Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the up-and-coming athletes while Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and project the country's image positively to the world."
Meanwhile, differing opinions have trailed the announcement. Former Super Eagles defender Abdul Sule stated, "I think Mikel was chosen because of his track record. He is playing for a big club like Chelsea and he's won so many laurels as a sportsman. Even though this is his first appearance at the Olympics, I think it's a good choice."
Sports journalist Colin Udoh said he would have preferred either multi-talented athlete, Blessing Okagbare, or veteran table tennis star Segun Toriola, who will be attending his seventh Olympics in Rio, to lead the country at the global games.
He tweeted, "Happy for Mikel but I think it's a poor decision by @SolomonDalung and Sports Ministry. Segun Toriola (7th Olympics) is a much better choice. Toriola's record of qualifying for seven Olympic Games is peerless and richly epitomises the Olympic spirit. Plus his leadership/experience
"Outside of Toriola, Blessing Okagbare also stands out as a better choice. This will be her third Olympics, and she has global recognition. Both Toriola and Okagbare have the respect of teammates and the international Olympic community. These are much better choices in my humble opinion I'm not sure how the decision was made, especially since this is not a strong Dream Team (football team) and they could be out by the group phase."
The games are slated to begin on August 5.
Related News
Leave a comment...