By Francis Ajuonuma
Following the decision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema to acknowledge members of the Nigerian team to the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, a member of the team, Obisia Nwankpa has recounted his experience at the Games.
ThisNigeria recalls that the Nigerian contingent to the games made up of 45 athletes and other officials were all recalled back home less than 24 hours to the commencement of the games as the Nigerian government and other African countries protest the participation of then apartheid South Africa at the games.
Obisia, who was listed to feature in the boxing event told ThisNigeria that the decision of the government left him devastated and pained.
Golden Gloves as Obisia is also known in the boxing scene, said it pained him most because he missed the opportunity of becoming an Olympic Games medalist, noting that at that he was the best amateur boxer in the light welterweight category and in his best of form as well.
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“Honestly, the federal government directive that we should withdraw from the games and return home immediately hit me like a thunderbolt. It’s a really shock, a big shock to us all and painful leaving the games just like that. But it was the federal government decision and we had to obey it, especially with the government warning us that we were no long safe in Canada.
Each time I remember it, I bite my finger because I missed the opportunity of winning Olympic medal at that games. I was more matured and one of the best amateur boxers in the light welterweight category at that period.
“I want to believe that the team Nigeria took to that games was the best the country has put together. It had a lot medal prospects and would have done well but we couldn’t achieve our dreams because of international politics,” he said.
