Kalu tips Okagbare to win medals at London Olympics

FORMER Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has tipped Beijing 2008 bronze medallist, Blessing Okagbare, to win the long jump gold in this year'sLondon Olympic Games, among other medals.Kalu says that with Okagbare's splendid form, London means a lot to bothNigeria and the female long jump event, stating: 'London will favour Okagbare and Team Nigeria. It was there in 1948 that a Nigerian first reached the Olympics final.'Adegboyega Folaranmi Adedoyin, an Ijebu-Remo blue blood, finished fifth in the men's long jump event. Asa medical student of Queen's University Belfast, the prince competed for Great Britain, since Nigeria was a colony. The women's long jump also debuted at London '48.'1948 was the last time London hosted the Olympics, and following Adedoyin's outing, Team Nigeria always pulled weight in the long jump, leading to Chioma Ajunwa's golden leap in 1996, Kalu said, adding: 'Long jump is a 'friendly' event. This is Okagbare's tonic.'It is Nigeria's UniqueSelling Point. At Melbourne '52, Karim Olowu also got to the final, finishing fifth. Wariboko West improved on that at Tokyo '64, missing the bronze by a whisker. Then came Immaculata Chioma Ajunwawith our best at Atlanta and Okagbare's bronze four years ago.'Kalu charged Gloria Asumnu to look up to her name as the country fights for more Olympics gold medals 16 years after Ajunwa and the Dream Team made Nigeria proud.'There is something about that name. Isee glory coming her way. Nobody gave Ajunwa a chance in Atlanta, yet she conquered Fiona May and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. I see Asumnu and Okagbare giving us something to cheer in London.
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