Injury And Official Wahala Na Wetin Make Samuel Ogazi Fall Hand For World Athletics Championships

Samuel Ogazi, wey be reigning NCAA 400m champion, talk say injury plus how Team Nigeria officials no support am well na why im no perform well for World Athletics Championships wey happen for Tokyo. Ogazi, one of Nigeria best chance for medal, finish fifth for Heat 3 of men 400m with time 45.97 seconds, way no reach him personal best wey be 44.41 seconds wey e run for Paris last year. Di race na USA man Jacory Patterson carry am with 43.90 seconds, followed by Jamaica own Rusheen McDonald (44.38s) and Collen Kebinatshipi (44.48s) wey come close behind. Ogazi talk, “I no ready, but dem force me run.” After the race, Ogazi talk straight say e vex as Team Nigeria officials still make am run even though e warn dem say e no ready. “I talk to Team Nigeria officials say I no prepare well for the race,” Ogazi talk. “First, my hamstring dey pain me, but dem still insist make I run. I do wetin I fit, and na so the thing end be.”

 Ogazi talk say im condition worse just few days before the race. “On Monday, I do better practice, I feel ready. Even Tuesday, I still feel okay. But for light workout on Wednesday, I feel something for my hamstring. Na that time I know say something no pure.” Even though e tell medical team when dem dey warm up, Ogazi talk say dem still tell am make e run. “During warm-up, I talk to the doctor say I no ready. Na only tape im put for my leg. I sabi say I no ready and I never strong reach.” The 20-year-old still talk say e just recover from COVID-19, and that one fit be part reason why e body no gree well before the race. Even though e suffer for Tokyo, Ogazi still talk say the season na “impressive and superb” one. “Our main target na to win NCAA title, and we do am. After dat, I just dey flow with the waka.”Ogazi performance for NCAA earlier this year make people believe say e fit be big contender for world stage. But wetin e talk still dey raise question about how Nigerian athletics officials dey take care of athlete welfare. For the same 400m heats, another Nigerian, Chidi Okezie, no fit pass as e finish eighth for Heat 2 with time 45.66 seconds.The race na Bayapo Ndori from Botswana carry am win with 44.36 seconds.