Reports say the coach of the Nigerian high jumper, who qualified Nigeria for the final of the women’s high jump event at the world meet, is presently in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on another official assignment as Nigeria prepares for the All Africa Games.
Also, Amata’s American trainer, Nat Page, is in Beijing, albeit on the United States’ entourage to the championships, and she has been denied access to him.
Doreen Amata, a Nigerian high jump specialist was left stranded in Beijing
Kola Adebayo, the Nigerian coach who was supposed to be with the Nigerian medal hopeful, has been with her since 2013 but was deployed to camp with Team Nigeria for the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.
The Nigerian coach, while explaining his absence from the competition, sad: “Only the AFN can explain that. I’m just a coach and I adhere to directives given to me.
“It’s a technical event and she needs someone who understands the technical aspects of the sport with her. But if the federation says they want it that way, who am I to kick against it?”
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Adebayo however, says in spite of his physical presence in China, he has been giving Amata guidelines on what to do, and is hopeful the 27-year-old will put up a fine outing in the final of the women’s long jump event on Saturday.
“We talk regularly and also chat on the social media. I keep reminding her on what to do and what to avoid. She’s a cool-headed person and I know she won’t do what I tell her not to do, even though I’m not there.
“This is what I can do from home to help her and I’m hoping she will make Nigerians proud in the final on Saturday,” Adebayo offered.