The 2016 Rio Olympics has been a dismal performance for the Nigerian team. So far the football team, basketball team and most of the athletics have all crashed out without a medal.
The state of Nigerian sports leaves a lot to be desired. While it is impossible for some of these athletes to actually participate due to age considerations, here are 5 of them that might have won a medal if they were able to compete at this year’s Olympics.
Here they are:

1. CHIKA CHUKWUMERIJE – Taekwondo

Chika Chukwumerije is Nigeria’s top Taekwondo expert
None of the Nigerian Taekwondo team qualified for this year’s Olympics, if they had, we would have had the hope of snagging a medal in Taekwondo. Why?
Chika Chukwumerije who is arguably Nigeria’s best male Taekwondo practitioner won a gold medal at the 2007 All-Africa Games in the +80kg class and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games soon after. At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, he won a bronze medal too. Even if he did not fight, his experience and renowned leadership skills would have helped us to a chance at the medal.

2. SAMUEL PETER – Boxing

Samuel Peter has a rivalry with the Klitchsko brothers
At 36 years of age, Samuel ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Peter is not too old for Olympic boxing. While it is true that Efe Ajagba showed promise with his knockout first bout win, he later crashed out, his lack of experience showing.
Peter who held the WBC heavyweight title in 2008, rose to prominence in his early professional career following a string of knockout wins. Peter who took a break from boxing in 2011 has not been heard from since then, if he was in the Olympics, we might have had some shot at a medal with his experience and skill.

3. ISAAC PROMISE – Football

Isaac promise was exceptional at the Beijing Olympics
Isaac Promise led the Nigerian Dream Team at the Olympics of 2008 to a silver medal, losing to a star-studded Argentinean squad in the final match.
The Nigerian Dream Team at this year’s Olympics showed heart and promise, but if Isaac Promise was right up there with Mikel Obi as two of the allowed overage players, the match against Germany might have gone better. His experience would have been an invaluable asset to the team.

4. MARY ONYALI – Sprinter

Mary Onyali was one of Nigeria’s best sprinters
It is of course impossible for Mary Onyali to compete at the age of 48. Yet in her heyday, she was easily one of the best female sprinters, Nigeria had in the track and field.
She has two Olympic bronze medals to her credit and a personal best of 10.97 in 100m, which is no small feat, considering that the best in the women’s 100m is 10.49. It is too late to wish she was here, but one can only hope, we get people of her caliber again.

5. HAKEEM OLAJUWON – Basketball

Hakeem Olajuwon is one basketballer Nigeria should have had.
At 53 years of age, Hakeem Olajuwon is surely out of basketball, and yes the Nigerian basketball team put its best before crashing out of the Olympics.
Yet, it is interesting to note that he never represented Nigeria, he instead won a gold medal with the USA team at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics in basketball.
Nigeria really needs to do more about its sports administration, or performances like the one we saw at this year’s Olympics will only continue to be repeated.
There is talent in the country, a lot of it, it only needs to be built up and managed properly. Athletes need to know they will be cared for and appreciated, or they will look for another country that will give them that. Hopefully, the Nigerian team in the relay will help the country to its first medal at the Rio Olympics 2016.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Naij.com.
Your own opinion articles are welcome

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This is a highly ridiculous thread. It is a joke right? lol

i dey hood o @ daveson07.. nah my phne dey do sumhw

daveson07:
2. SAMUEL PETER – Boxing

Samuel Peter has a rivalry with the Klitchsko brothers
At 36 years of age, Samuel ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Peter is not too old for Olympic boxing. While it is true that Efe Ajagba showed promise with his knockout first bout win, he later crashed out, his lack of experience showing.
Peter who held the WBC heavyweight title in 2008, rose to prominence in his early professional career following a string of knockout wins. Peter who took a break from boxing in 2011 has not been heard from since then, if he was in the Olympics, we might have had some shot at a medal with his experience and skill.

A boxer who turns professional can't go back to olympic boxing.