Tokyo Olympics Boxing: Konyegwachi’s Big France Headache

IKPO IGBINOBA

Not even the menacing COVID – 19 pandemic can stop Nigerians from celebrating the Yuletide season stretching from Christmas to the New Year.

But one Nigerian is completely detached from the season of festivities. He is Tony Konyegwachi, Nigeria’s boxing coach. 
While other Nigerians can afford to party all through the season, Konyegwachi just can’t.

His  big headache for now is getting a great outing in France next June during the Olympic Games qualifiers which is the last in the series.

Nigeria has missed previous  qualifiers and the France event is the only opportunity left for the team.

Konyegwachi knows the importance of the France event and he did not mince words during a chat with PM. EXPRESS.

According to him, “We have no reason not to perform well in France since that’s the only opportunity left for us to be part of the boxing event in the Tokyo Olympics”.

Konyegwachi who had an illustrious career as a boxer in the national team for twelve years has set a target for himself in the France event.

“My dream is to ensure that at least five of my boxers would qualify for the Tokyo Olympics after the France event. That’s is my dream.”

Konyegwachi said his dream was inspired by the quality of boxers he’s working with.
“I have boxers who can match the best in the world and they will overcome all the opposition in France.”

When asked what he expected from his boxers in the Tokyo Olympics, Konyegwachi said it was premature to discuss his boxers’ chances in Tokyo now.

“I would be in a position to  talk about the Tokyo Olympics after the qualifiers in France.

“Once we have attended the France event, I will be in a better position to discuss the chances of my boxers at the Olympics.

“But with the quality of boxers I have, Nigeria will make a big impact at the Olympics”.

The coach pleaded with the boxing authorities to ensure that his boxers should be in the camp by February.

“It will be great if we start our camp in February. It will give us enough time for preparation”, he said.

Nigeria missed the Olympics qualifiers held in Senegal earlier in the year.