‘I’m Not Philips’

Both of them, Nigeria’s Raphael Akpata and Nigerian born British athlete, Idowu Philips may share some similarities being long jumpers and wearing headbands, but Akpata believes he should not be compared with the Briton.

Akpata, a serving personnel in the Nigeria Navy is Nigeria’s long jump record holder with a leap of 7.78m. The athlete agreed that they actually share some similarities in their lifestyle on and off the tracks, but he does not see himself as Philips, who will  compete in the colours of England at the London 2012 Olympic Games slated for next month.

Speaking with P.M.Sports at the 66th All Nigeria Athletics Championships, which ended  last Thursday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State, Akpata said most of his colleagues had been comparing him to Philips because both of them are long jumpers and also wear headbands.

“Idowu Philips is himself, while I’m Raphael Akpata and I don’t want to be compared to Philips, he is a long jumper and I’m also a long jumper. But we are not the same, we are different and not on the same pedestal”.

Speaking on his chances of competing against the Briton in London, Akpata said: “It is sports, he has Nigerian blood flowing in his vein, so I’m not in anyway afraid of him, we may be miles apart but it is our jump that will determine who is the best at the Olympics”.

He concluded by tipping the Team Nigeria contingent to the London Olympic Games to do well at the games, particularly the Track and Field athletes. He said: “Nigeria is not going for jamboree at the Olympics, the track and field athletes have what it take to win medals for Nigeria, we are not going to complete the numbers but to compete and win medals”.

—Adebobola Alawode