On 1st August, 2021 Enoch Adegoke put smiles on the faces of Nigerians by qualify for the finals of the 100m men’s event at the Tokyo Olympics despite not being one of the favorites.
Over 200 million Nigerians across the globe stayed glued to their television sets, YouTube and other social media platforms to watch Enoch Adegoke take on five other sprinters in the 100m men’s final. Unfortunately, Enoch Adegoke sustained an hamstring and could not finish the race.
It is a known face that hamstring sustained by individuals of such heights can be dangerous and can hinder the career of a sprinter. It is also a known facts that former Nigeria sprinter and former 100m champion, Francis Obikwelu sustained such injury before he switch allegiance to Portugal due to neglect by the Nigerian Government.
It will interest the minister than Enoch Adegoke was a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife when he represented Nigeria at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and featured at the finals too.
I am making a passionate appeal to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare to kindly look into the injury sustained by Enoch Adegoke in the final of the 100m men’s event and as a matter of urgency send him to the best hospital in the world because he is medal prospect at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Commonwealth Games will be held in 2022, African Championship, the World Championship and other International meets will happen and it will be a disaster if Enoch Adegoke is missing.
It is also unfortunate that some individuals are of the opinion that Enoch Adegoke faked the injury. I hope one day they will find time and try to engage in some of these sports and know how pressure some of these athletes pass through when competing for the country.
By Dare Kuti
