By; JOSEPH ODOEKWU, Accra
One of Nigeria’s ex-internationals, Coach Gabriel Okon has revealed that his birthday which was marked yesterday during a training, session will bring luck to athletics when they begin their campaign for medals on Monday at the ongoing African Games taking place in Ghana.
A delighted Okon, disclosed this to this writer in a brief interview at the University of Ghana Sports Complex, where athletes had a training session this evening.
“I am delighted and this is the first time I am celebrating my birthday in an African country, and I am glad that I am celebrating my birthday once again, during a major competition,” Okon stated.
“I remember when I celebrated one of my birthdays during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, it was during the opening ceremony of the games and it was announced there.
“Last year, I celebrated my birthday in Nigeria and this year, it’s taking place during the African Games and I’m happy seeing this happen during the African Games.
“I am confident that my birthday which was marked by the team during this training session in Accra, will definitely bring luck to team Nigeria when we start the track and field events on Monday and we are definitely going to rake in medals,” Okon concluded.
Nigeria is currently second on the medal table and they trail runaway Egypt as at time of filing this report.
Athletics which starts on Monday, is one of the sports which Nigeria draws strength from in scooping medals and hopes will be high when the athletes file out on Monday at the ongoing African Games.
