15th August, 2013
Gad Onumaegbu, a retired athletics coach, has urged Blessing Okagbare to put behind her the disappointment of her sixth position finish in the 100m event, and focus on her other events.
Okagbare ended up in the sixth position of the 100m event in the ongoing 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow.
Onumaegbu said that if she had participated in the 100m event before the long jump, the result would have been different.
He added that she would have to be professional in her approach in her buildup for her other events in the championships.
“The 100m should have come before the long jump, it is better to do the sprint before the long jump.
“She has to show how dedicated she is in her approach to the other events ahead of her; and possibly pick up more medals,” he said.
The retired coach also decried the undue burden of expectation that was placed on her shoulders by the leadership of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and blamed them for her inconsistencies.
“It is quite unfortunate and the blame falls squarely on the leadership of the AFN who have over relied on her to deliver the goods.
“Other athletes are being overlooked it should not be so, emphasis should not be on her alone,’’Onumaegbu said.
Meanwhile, Sule Oladimeji, a long jump coach, noted that the long jump event might have weakened Okagbare, but refused to blame her 100m loss on that.
“The long jump might have taken a bit of steam from her, but that will not be the sole reason for her poor performance in the 100m race.
“Sometimes it is not just the form of an athlete but luck that can lead to an athlete’s success in a race,” he said.
The coach urged Okagbare not to feel too discouraged about her performance in the 100m event, but use it to boost her performance in her other events.
“I believe if she focuses well she will do well in the 200m race because she is more powerful in it and the country believes in what she can do,” he said.
Okagbare would be participating in the 200m race and 400m women relay.
The IAAF World Championships will come to an end on 18 August in the Russian capital.