Olusegun Ajose, the boxing coach for Team Nigeria, has expressed strong confidence in the team’s readiness and potential for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
In an exclusive interview with Sports 247 during their visit to the Nigerian boxing team’s training camp at Ilaje Resorts, Ajose shared his insights on the team’s preparation and prospects.
Ajose pointed out that the boxers are demonstrating significant brilliance and that if the Olympics were to start immediately, the team would be ready.
“We have to pace the boxers so by the time the Olympics come proper, the boxers will be ready.
They are showing a lot of brilliance, we just have to manage them and make them consistent with that brilliance and make them confident in their ability to win the Olympics. They have the capability,” He said.
Reflecting on the successful qualification of three Nigerian boxers for the Olympics, Ajose credited the coaching crew, especially the national coach, and the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) for their hard work.
“The NBF worked hard to ensure Nigeria went for the African Olympic qualifiers because it is a little easier to qualify through that route.
Nigeria maximized their opportunity in those qualifiers and came back with three qualifiers.
It’s not easy, but we have to give regard to the NBF and the coaches for the effort they put in to get the qualifiers,” Ajose stated.
Ajose acknowledged Nigeria’s strong position in African boxing, mentioning the country’s success at the last African Games, where they won eight gold and two silver medals.
Despite Algeria having five qualifiers for the Olympics, Ajose believes Nigeria has the technical capabilities to excel.
“We have the technical capability and know-how, and with some planning and funding, we should do well. We have to give NBF a lot of credit.
Last Olympics, we didn’t participate and now, we are not just going with one but three. We would have preferred to go with more but sometimes in life, you don’t get what you want.
We are happy to be going with three for a start and what we want to do is maximize that opportunity and get three medals. These boxers are capable of doing it,” he added.
Ajose’s comments indicates a blend of confidence, strategic planning, and a realistic approach to leveraging Nigeria’s boxing strengths for success at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
