Oyinlomo Quadre, one of Nigeria’s hopefuls to win gold at the 13th All African Games in Ghana and qualify for the 2024 Olympics, is raring to go.
The Psychology Major student at the Florida International University (FIU) is expected to team up with the Nigerian tennis team currently preparing for the African Games, and she has not stopped thinking about the Games in Ghana.
According to the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) the Men’s Winner in Single + the Women’s Winner in Single at the Games will potentially qualify to participate at the Olympics.
She told Nigeria Tennis Live from her base in the USA that even though the Olympics is such a big deal, she is trying so hard to not think about it yet, as the first hurdle needs to be crossed.
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“This tournament is something to look forward to. It’s an opportunity to go to Africa. Going there makes me feel happy.
“I have not been there in a while and this is like the longest I’ve been away from home for, so, I’m relishing the opportunity to get back,” the former world number 92 junior player stated.
The 20-year-old Nigerian tennis superstar also explained how she is preparing for the Games. She said: “I’m taking it day by day. I don’t want to think about it too much but it’s a lot at stake.
“The last time I played was five years ago and I won bronze. I believe I am a much better player now and I can win gold this time around. I’m hoping I can get to win gold and play at the Olympics”.
On what playing at the Olympics would mean to her or if she ever gave it a deep thought, the Lagos-born former Aces Academy upstart said: “Growing up, I was just specific about winning the Grand Slam, but I just got to really know about the Olympics and how to play there at the last Games.
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“I made my researches and saw how other athletes rated the Olympics and what it meant to them. That was when I started thinking about the possibility of winning it.
“My teammates also talk about it a lot, and what could have happened if I had won at 16 years old. It’s every athlete’s dream to play in the Olympics. It’s more than representing the country.”
The tennis event at the African Games will hold from 16-23 March inside the Borteyman Sports Complex which has five courts and a 1000-seater centre court covered spectator stand.
Team Nigeria to the event is expected to leave the shores of the country early enough to have a feel of the facilities on ground and also warm up ahead of the competition.
Nigeria Tennis Live will be on ground to cover the tournament and bring our readers and followers up to speed with activities at the Games.
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