PARALYMPICS 24: NIGERIA EYE MEDALS IN TABLE TENNIS

it's just about 48 hours to the kickoff of this year's par Olympic Games in Paris France and Nigeria's eight man scad to the games in tennis is as twoed by Nas Su is saying they are ready to bring back uh medals from the par Olympic Games who gets under way on Wednesday Mike U it's been uh let say common knowledge that uh Nigeria Harvest more from the par Olympic Games than the Able Body Olympic Games now uh the table tennis Squad is of the opinion that they are returning home with the medal they are made of six men and two women yes uh for me if you take a look at the history of the par Nigerian par Olympic team over the years I think they've uh shown that indeed they have what it takes to compete at the highest level and bring honors to the country so there is anything to go by from our past record I believe that they are primed this time around to go out there and do exploit and of course you know we have Rich history in terms of um a tenis event for the par Olympic gam so for me looking at the rich history that we have and also Bo by the fact that the disappointing outing of their everybody counter talking about the Nigerian team they just concluded par Olympic game it's another motivating factor for them to go out there and at least you know wipe the shame of you know the the everybody count cter and actually listen to some of um the you know athlets out there building up to this very one they are breaming with confidence as well and of course you know that out of the 12 billion was that was projected for this year's Paris Olympic game you know 3 billion actually went for the par Olympic to to actually enable them prepare for this very one so like I said earlier if there's anything to go by from their past record I think they are prime to go out there and bring success to the country team Nigeria the par Olympic games are not short of motivation 3 ion 3 billion NAA in terms of getting them ready and of course jumo bonuses 15,000 for gold and of course uh that's you couldn't have gotten it any better 10 for silver and five for uh for bronze Meda team Nigeria's table score made of six men and two women will compete in doubles the mixed double event and of course the single event and like we said in history the paralympians have always done well especially in tennis they won two goal and three uh two goal and three bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games and uh it looks like they are sure because sule who won the bronze medal in Atlanta believes that the team under his watch should do better having prepared well in sabren Germany where they took part in some event the paralympic event actually set off on the the 29th that will be on Thursday and it promises to be very trading Shadow kicks off with men and women including the the mixed double event while the men's and women singles will begin on Sunday the 1st of September we understand 181 atlet are competing for Glory in Paris and we will see how many of the gold medal as showcase will Nigeria bring back home let's quickly continue in attics where Nigerian sprinters and Justina have completed their switches to the National College Athletic Association in the United States of America join a long list of Nigerian atlet schooling and competing at the same time F feel very prominent on this one and I think it's a loable program where the rer in this colleg system that competes and at the same time go through studies yeah I think for me it's a very nice one for their career it is an upgrade uh because uh the colle uh you know activities there you have more better facilities to train with and some of these athlet have been you know seeking for this opportunity and of course you see the fact that they actually did pretty well in the African um you know athletic you know championship this has also helped them also to get to this point despite our disappointing outing at the Paris Olympic game but then um some of them individually they had a very good season so far so Boy by that fact I think this is the reason why you know most of these universities were able to at least you know see them get to know their talent and also try to integrate them into the system and I believe it's a it's a good one for the Nigerian athletic Federation and I believe they are going to utilize this opportunity to also improve on themsel and also continue to do the country PR a nice way for them to continue to at least you know better prepare for their careers because most of them they are still very young some 17 some 21 so I think if they start at this very tender age to get exposed to some of the topnotch you know to with stand a better chance of competing favorably well against the best hands in the world talking about being structured in World of Sports this is the way to go you need to ensure that the the athletes at the very young age are not deprived of uh some other you know activities especially studies and at the same time horn their talent because who just to the one years of age join the Texas Tech which also has another Nigerian addition as a high jumper and long jumper R to Sor is in that fold as well we understand the 17y old y I was signed for the University of sou California and both atlet were part of nigeran squad at the just conclude Olympic Games the 4X met Rel event we just hope that they will continue to H their skills the next Olympic is by the corner and of course competing through colleges uh system is one way of trying to prepare the athlets as well for uh as big as an event as the Olympics uh remember the yes they they take part in the African competition but at the same time they must get exposed to to you know other world class athletes yeah definitely I totally agree because you see like I said earlier there they have better fac facilities to train with and uh you know taking part in this top notch you know activity or Championship also help them to you know Prime their talent better uh though you say they've taken part in some of the African Championship but then the quality of the competition are not always the same there there's topnotch organization uh you know and also preparation they also you know have to take special care of this athlet uh more like U you know trying to at least get the better of them but here in Africa it is a different ball game all together we don't have that Top Notch facilities and the the impeccable organizational structure that we see over there is quite different from what we get here in Africa so for me I think it's a better template and platform for uh some of these athlet to properly harness their talent going for there's a better template out there for these athletes especially those enrolled in the Collegiate system to compete and of course prepare for major championship across still in atletics Jacob Briston has broken the 28y old 3,000 War record 3,000 M War record by more than 3 seconds before Amad dupes of course they break his own as well in the PO vote event and they just concluded their morning meeting in CIA uh this is uh Renown Atlas taking it is say a notch higher yeah I think for me very impressive one because uh they've over time shown that indeed what they did that they just Paris Olympic game wasn't a fluke because this is 10 time that you know he has actually broken that record for himself for the year so he clearly cement himself as one of the best talking about dupes who also did pretty well in the just concluded Paris Olympic Games setting record breaking the same record to set a new one it's a clear Testament of the fact that at least as he stand right now he in the top of on the top of his game out and it will take uh quite a while for some other athlet to also break this record because it did not come easy even listening to him shortly after you know that record breaking a race he said it very clear that he had to train extra hard to ensure that at least he break his own personal record and that is what you get when you add more effort to what you've been doing over the years it's about Improvement it's about dedication and dogness and that is what is keeping him going so it's very clear that his impressive display they just concluded Paris Olympic game is is not by fluke 3,000 M event there BR record broken and of course my heart goes out to the Kenyan who had that record previously by 7 2.67 seconds Daniel Ken who in 1996 broke that record and that's been a really long time and uh I think now he will be turning and like what going on here but that's what it is records are meant to be broken in the PO event Sweden's dupes cleared 6.26 m one of the cmet higher than this previous record said like you mentioned there you know sets This Record breaks it and of course continue to uh to make it his own area and so the planties continue uh to join American Sam kenix and of course Greece Emmanuel kis who won the Olympic silver and bronze respectively after jumping six M this time around a not higher over 6 M for du planties away from that event let's look at Nigeria's performances at the the ab event where we saw niger's Ary team once again make the nation proud with the Stellar performance at the annual Arch Championship held in uh AB I Coast it it's not a very popular spot but we continue to keep this one as an area where continentally we are strong yeah just like you said not a popular spot but then I think we are making Headway and what this simply means is that if you invest so much and pay much attention to some of this non or non not popular spot we can actually compete with the best of the best take a look at what they've achieved for the continent of Africa in the a I think is very impressive uh for a sport that is really relatively unknown right here in the country I believe if if we can do more at least uh we stand a better chance to perform very well in some of this non-popular sport right here in the country so for the AR team they've actually uh been doing us pride in the last Edition they actually did pretty well and overall they have about 10 medals you know to show for it so for me it's not a flu they've actually come to stay let's hope that they continue with this de developmental project and continue to you know fight for Honor you know when it matters most because that is what matters for me and a close attention closed eyes should be paid to The A Team to ensure that they continue to progress and develop the way they are going because if they do I tell you they're going to be one of the best team right here in Africa because they've demonstrated that but then closer attention need to be paid to this team so that at the end of it all they they don't just go their different ways when next we get to remember them is maybe we have any major tournament that have been the B that have been the issue and challenges that we're facing right here terms of the sport system there's no consistency we just wait until maybe just few weeks or few days before any major championship that is when you get to uh prepare meanwhile in other climb they start preparation two years 3 years before any major championship out there so for me looking at the way they are going if much attention is being paid to them I believe they can even achieve more success at your team here in Nigeria have potentials talking about the performance just concluded event in AB they will made sure show a lot of progress at the b ball of course rof and compound H disciplines and I think we should see more medals being won there because they are talented archers from the AR archery club and of course the Zen Archery Club who demonstrated a lot of skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament out there in AB I we say congratulations to them they brought home the 10 10 gold medal like he mentioned two silver and four Bron across various categories and this is really really a cheering uh the Federation must do more to exposing or doing more local competition at Le aim at giving some level of awareness and publicity to the event they're looking forward now to yet another event but uh I will keep our fingers crossed and hope that they will hit to advise and continue to do more let's now look at one more event just before we go on a break wemble stadium has officially sold out uh for the highly anticipated international boxing Federation everywhere about between Anthony Joshua and of course Daniel deu shed for the 21st of September just about another 4 weeks or so from now uh Mike this vout is the much anticipated vout in thewe division of boxing after Resurgence of Anthony Joshua remember he's had three fights now this will be his fourth fight and uh if he's able to take out the boo then it looks like he's ready for the big one against the Ukrainian yeah I I think for me very very good way to shape up his career as he tried to come back to that Apex or the zenet of his career after losing his you know title twice so for me I think this is going to be a very good good platform and of course the British fans they are very very excited that is why before you could say Jack when the ticket is out I mean they've already you know bought all the tickets so for me it clearly tells you of the high anticipation from the fans and boxing followers across the globe and for me this one hold a very significant Import in the career of anony Joshua because this might you know make or even Mar his career forward as he Tred to build back you know after that setb don't forget this Grand is a very you know favorable ground for him uh this is where he actually demonstrated or declared his intent to the world when he actually humbled Vlad Klitschko in that very stadium so for me he hold a very very significant history for his career but then he's going to be the Challenger of this ibf belt you know against Daniel DEA a very strong fighter a hard punching fighter as well who is also also very sliek and very technical on the ring out so anony Joshua need just to be very very careful going against Dani de because I tell you I've actually taken you know a watch about his Clips out there is very very good on the day you know when he catches so for me anony Joshua in his quest to be back his reputation and integrity I believe that he's you know a well Prime to make this one count for himself at least if he get this one done and dusted then he wait the rematch between the Gypsy King and you know the ibf holder talking about you know the Ukrainian so for me I think um we are waiting and I can't even wait for that day because excitement in the air already from boxing fans across the world excitement in the air 21st of September is the date at Anon de and we have sorry Anthony Joshua and of course DEA in a very crunch tie ibf title heavyweight title is been held before by Anthony Joshua yeah definitely he has held that belt before but relinquish relinquished it you know long time ago so like I said this is another great you know opportunity for him to as well demonstrate that indeed what he did before wasn't a fluke he can also replicate that again against Daniel de and I'm keeping my fingers crossed uh taking a look at some of his training regiment so far building up to this game you want to say yes Anthony Joshua is very very ready very much prepared for this very one well let's hope that he can cross this battle and go for the biggest one which is against Alexander usk and the whole world will know yes yes Anthony Joshua is is back Nigerian fans here are praying seriously for him for him to at least Excel and get back to his enviable height through you know Nigerians we have a very rich affiliation with Anthony and that is why you know when he lost his last B it was so painful to you know even Nigerians more than the British fans out there because of the attachment that Nigerians have for Anthony Joshua few weeks ago you just saw you know Israel at breathed into the country and he saw the excitement and the joy in the heart of Nigeria despite losing his fight against dupes but then the joy of coming back home still remain because you have to go back to your roof just like Bob Mary say going back to your roote despite the fact that anony Joshua is representing another country but then his roote is never forgotten and that is why whenever he get on the ring he get the backing and support of Nigerians everywhere across the world well let's go to tennis now and talking about tennis reminds me the biggest event the last for the year in terms of grand slam is here with us the US Open taking place in Flushing mids guest on way today and U Mike let's take a look at it overall we understand this is the biggest payday now in tennis $75 million been put into this one at organizing it and uh winners in the both the male and female category can go home with 6.6 million just that alone as winning the title but there graduating from the round first round up to the title itself understand if you lose in the first round you can as well still smile home with $100,000 US do organization wise how ready uh the organizers of the last grand slam of year the US Open I think they are very very ready for this very one I was actually watching a video about their preparation about the you know the organizational structure I failure everything has been put in place especially you know they had more time to actually prepare for this very one while the Olympic Games was ongoing they were actually putting finishing touches on ground to ensure that at least they make the last grand slam of the year you know very very successful so for me uh if there there's anything to go by from the report and record that I've seen so far in times of the organization I believe they are ready well organizers are ready are the tennis players ready defending Champion Novak jovic is ready I should think uh can he get at his favorite record of winning at least one grand slam every year in the last seven years we've not seen him win any Grand Slam this is the last opportunity of keeping that record which he has made very enviable in the last seven years Nova jov defending champion in the male category yeah for me I believe uh that Nova jovic has what it takes you know to also defend this very well successfully especially looking at the fact that he's been able to win one um you know of The elusive trophy that have actually eluded him over the years talking about the Olympic you know winning that very one is going to serve as a additional motivation and he has made it very clear that he want to also continue to compete at the highest level to continue to at least a whole s so for such a man that have broken all record have won everything that there is to win in world of tennis and still fighting very hard even uh you know with his age he's not yet given up I tell you he's very very R but then there are other stiffer opponent as well that he need to also Face In This Very one don't forget uh the youngstar Yan has actually made him not to win anything so far this even caros aarz if not for the final that he won the Paris Olympic game I think um he had had a very very poor season so far so uh the likes of Y Yan Carlos araras Tor F Danny Med these are some topnotch players that are also there to also give him a run for his money but if you ask me I tell you he's very Prime and I think he's ready to defend you know his title but then like I said he had he has other obstacle to also cross well obstacles are there for NOA Jovi to defend his title in Flushing midles today uh you will start with relatively unknown tennis player and we should think he will cross the first hle and move on but he has caros anaras wall number one right now don't forget novovic is presently wall number two yeah and he's relish that let's see whether he can make up the points again y but he's looking good he's just won the Olympic Games gold medal and uh if he's able to you know continue in that light he will just be the oldest uh tennis player you know to win a grand slam and as if that would not be enough will be the first tennis player in the world male and female to make it Grand Slam number 25 can 25 be a figure he will cherish for a long time yes you see this record that he said before him uh you know will actually Propel him to at least you know do very well because you want to also hold that enviable record making it 25 Grand Slam I think to go ahead of other players some of the big name Roger federa that have also hold some very impressive record as well so I tell you it's very ready and again considering the fact that the world number one talking about Yan is also in the mix for you know some criticism about failing some you know dropping test out there so many tennis player have actually come out to Tong him you know and the system talking about the international tennis Integrity Agency for allowing yanika to compete where he was actually tested positive twice and he failed on that test you know some point was actually deducted from him and some money you know was leved against him and so many players out there was like you know there seems to be favoritism or some stuff out there there seems to be a double standard uh from the international tenis Integrity agency and this will also help to push caros aares I mean no Jovi rather to see if he can be able to close in the gap against yanex having seen that some point have been deducted from yanex they just have few point right now before you can close up that Gap then again pursuing 25 Grand lamb I think these are some of the key elements that is going to you know Propel Nova jovic to want to push you know very hard to see if he can be able to detone Yan as the world number one talking about detering world number one Yan NOA is there there's caros and caras Reserve rev and we keep our fingers crossed and see whether there could be even new name popping up at the last grand slam the flushing midles let's see what is uh it's like with the female category worldall number one continue to make herself very relevant ahead of this one uh apart from that there is Coco golf you remember in 2021 she won her very first Grand Slam there then there is a new name in the mix Z swing who just won the gold medal at the Olympic Games as well there then there's Arena sabalenka as well I think she's is world number two now Sanka is there then uh it it looks very for me competitive uh con close in deciding who can Nick it in the female category yeah the WTA is always very very comp competitive over the years we've seen that and uh with the poor performance of the world number one talking about they just concluded Paris Olympic game I know she will be ready this time around to also you know at least do her up from that disappointing outing at the Paris Olympic game and see if she can be able to make this one count and of course her number one Statue is her stake right here because she has maintained that position for a quite long time we are seeing other players as well you know coming up very stronga zalena just like you mentioned Coco go uh you know and the Chinese Zing as well is not also left aside don't forget as well that Naomi Osaka as well is also in for this very one these are some of the top names you know that we are yes she this match is taking place in the Buffalo and that's flushy middles I'm sorry uh she's from Bufalo very close in New York there and then flushing middles as well is still in New York a lot of people believe that she should have the Home Advantage well I don't believe in Home Advantage sometimes in the game of tennis it's about your what you can do on the court out there if you don't actually prepare pretty well and you're hoping to Bank on Home Advantage to uh get do uh to get you do the magic out there on the court when you've actually not prepared properly I do not think that that you know is always a very tenable I think for me there's nothing like Home Advantage uh what I'm thinking is about some players that are ready have you know perfected their plans you know I have um great Aben to also make this one count that will also count in this very one not about uh Home Advantage for me because if you don't prepare and you banking on Home Advantage I mean you are not going to see that magic happen so I don't give her any chance at all I still Reon with the lives of IG Coco golf zalena or even the Chinese you know over here in this very one well the the first round F just gets under way today and it promises to be very tight uh a lot of players are will be on the court uh later uh today we promise to give you the results of the matches that we played at least some of the matches on program Sports extraordinary coming up at 6 p.m. Nigerian time but a lot of the stars are really really getting ready to get to that Court out there at Flushing Middle Grand Slam like we mentioned to you $3.6 million us as thck as winning as price for the winner of the title but if you get to fall out from today then you can still smile to the bank with $100,000 that's a handsome paycheck for maybe just uh one hour or two hours on the court we take a break now when we return from break we'll get to the ever busy worldall of football there is complete return of football in Europe as well then on the continent of Africa U qualifiers for the second round of the