Okeniyi predicts podium finish for judo at Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

With Nigeria finding it difficult to win medals at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, former NUGA Games champion, Rotimi Okeniyi, has assured that judo will correct the “anomaly” at the next edition of the Games in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles will host the 2028 edition of the Olympic Games, its second in 44 years after hosting the Games in 1984.

Speaking ahead of the a three-day grassroots programme in Osun State aimed at discovering and nurturing young talents in judo and sambo, the UK-based certified sambo coach said that Nigeria has the human resources to rule any sport, adding that stakeholders must come together to harness these resources and situate them properly for sporting excellence.

Apart from planning to distribute modern equipment to participants at the three-day programme, Okeniyi said most of the athletes would be catered for during the tournament to inspire them to aim for qualification to the 2028 Olympic Games.

Okeniyi, who said that the three-day programme is part of the process of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics, added: “I decided to organise this event to popularise the sport, and also assist the South West states with training equipment, which I have been doing for years now, and part of the plans is to build one of the best training facilities in Nigeria, and in the South-West.”

Pained by Nigeria’s absence in the judo event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Okeniyi said: “I think we have the resources in terms of athletes to quality for the Olympic Games if given the necessary support. That’s my motive and my aim for this clinic and competition.”

He added: “To help the participants coming for the event, we have decided to provide them with free transportation, boarding, and feeding for the three days