Olympic is Here
The Olympics is here at last, there is no better place to be than London, I feel privileged to be living in this beautiful city, moreover I live some 15 minutes away from the Olympic park, No one would have thought Stratford would be this transformed some odd 15 years ago .Stratford is situated in the eastern part of London, I remember my very first experience of Stratford, the place looks so dilapidated,the shopping mall at the time was practically a market,very cold and you could tell from the environment that it was a poverty stricken area. Stratford is under the London Borough of Newham . Newham was said to be the among the 5 poorest borough in London as February 2012. But irrespective of this fact, Stratford and some of it neighbouring areas have witnessed significant transformation in its outlook. New properties spring up and the Westfield Shopping Centre which is said to be the biggest in Europe. Local businesses, particularly shops and property agent will also want to take advantage of the economic opportunities the Olympics bring. I have heard of local resident vacating their apartments for a short let during this period.
Olympic Fiesta
I decided to visit Stratford and get a feel of the festival and it is really buzzing at the moment, athletes have started to arrive and settle down in the games village.You could see the flags of various nations on the balconies and windows. On my way, I bumped into some Portuguese athlete who were taking a walk toward Leyton Train Station, and I asked jokingly if Christiano Ronaldo will be coming and one of them answered " He will come later" .Apart participating in the games,athletes will have the opportunity to feel the environment as well.
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| Portuguese Athletes taking a walk towards Leyton Train Station Westfield Shopping Centre |
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| From Left Saka Suraju(A Nigerian representing Congo), friend and Segun Toriola |
I felt really privileged meeting this table tennis star that i have being following since my secondary school days (1989 to be precise). He has represented Nigeria at various competition ranging from African Table Tennis Championship, All African Games, World Table Tennis Championship, he is attending his sixth Olympic games. He holds the record as the highest Nigerian participant .We had a lot chat and you would have thought we have known each other forever. Table Tennis is not necessarily my number one game, but i have followed the game since the early 80's when there was so much happen for the game in Nigeria. I could remember vividly the various competitions like the Cola Cola Championship, Bournvita Championship which usually attract countires like Sweden China, France e.t.c . Nigeria was among the top table tennis nation at the time. You want to relish the fierce rivalry between the African champion at the time Atanda Musa and Yomi Bankole, other players like Titus Omatara, Abass Ekun, Sunday Eboh Fatai Adeyemo, The ladies were not left out too, there were the likes of Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Kuburat Owolabi, Bose Kaffo Keinde Okenla,Biola Odumosu and Funke Oshonaike who will be London 2012( Her fifth Olympic appearance). We had the generation that emerged from the late 80's into the 90's Segun toriola emerged from this generation. other were Sule Olaleye, Kasim Nosiru,and Sau Ayemojuba. It is quite disheartening that Table is virtually dead,as is the case with most sport in Nigeria. The game need some sort of revival before it goes into extinction. Players welfare is deteriorating at an alarming rate, it is now becoming a custom for players to defect to other countries that will appreciate and value their talent which leads me to the other table tennis player Saka Suraju who is representing Congo republic. He had played for Nigeria at some point but he decided to consider other options that will enhance his career.
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| From left Segun's Friend, My humble self and Segun Toriola |
Another Lost Talent
Saka Suraju originally from Nigeria switched to Congo about 8 years ago and he actually represented Congo at the last Bejing Olympics in 2008, so he is making his second appearance for Congo at London 2012. He has being camping with the Team Congo in Medway Kent for about 3 weeks now. He told me that he is well taken care off and he enjoys the privilege of being the current number one table tennis champion in Congo,making the move has also enhanced his professional career. I think its about time Nigeria Sport administrator start taking the issue of welfare more serious in other not to loose more up coming talent to other countries. We have had several athletes defected to other countries in search greener pastures.
Please watch the clip of Saka Suraju below and see what Nigeria authorities have allowed to slip from our hands
Athletes who defected to other countries :
Please watch the clip of Saka Suraju below and see what Nigeria authorities have allowed to slip from our hands
Athletes who defected to other countries :
- Athletics - Francis Obikwelu - Portugal
- Athletics - Gloria Alozie - Spain
- Wrestling - Daniel Igali - Canada (Retired - Now Team Nigeria's Wrestling Coach)
- Boxing - David Dafiagbon - Canada
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| Myself and Saka Suraju of Congo |
The Olympic touch has being going around the city so that everyone have the opportunity of feeling the Olympic fiesta one way or the other.I was not left out as the Olympic touch came to my area, as a matter of fact, literally passed through main road leading to my street. It was such an experience, people throng out in their hundred to see the Olympic touch .The Olympic is here.
Please enjoy the season!!!
Olympic Touch in Walthamstow
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| Entrance to the Games Village |
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| Games Village |
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| Games Village from an Ariel View |
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| Team Great Britain Residence in Games Village |
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| The Games Village View from the Westfield Shopping Mall |
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Follow Me on Twitter @ Amoky
Nice work. Keep it up! Shame about Nigerian sports administration which has opened another major source of 'brain drain' from Nigeria in the form of athletes going to other countries to represent countries that take better care of their sportspersons.
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