Nigeria’s former top-ranked tennis player, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, has expressed concerns about the country’s inadequate preparation for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, with only one year remaining until the Games commence on July 26 and conclude on August 11.
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Abubakar, who competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, emphasized that Nigeria’s delayed preparations could hinder the country’s chances of being a serious contender for medals in Paris.
He pointed out that while some nations commenced their preparations immediately after the conclusion of the previous Olympics in Japan, Nigeria seems to lack the same level of commitment and organization.
The former athlete highlighted that apart from athletics, little progress has been made in other sports, including those in which Nigeria possesses a competitive advantage.
He expressed disappointment that after each Olympics, attention tends to wane until a few months before the next Games, rather than sustaining a consistent and structured approach.
Abubakar placed the responsibility on national sports federations, emphasizing the need for them to identify elite athletes early on and commence preparations accordingly.
He praised athletics as the only federation currently ready for the Games, as they have been actively participating in local and international competitions. However, he pointed out that other federations, such as boxing, have not adequately prepared their athletes, citing poor management and lack of support from the Ministry of Sports.
The esteemed professor stressed the importance of identifying and resolving the challenges within these federations before progress can be made. He drew attention to the state of Nigerian basketball, describing it as being in disarray and suffering from leadership and funding issues. Abubakar expressed concern about the negative impact these problems are having on the sport, highlighting the recent decline of a federation that was previously Africa’s top-ranked.
In order to improve Nigeria’s prospects at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Abubakar urged a proactive and systematic approach to preparation. He emphasized the need for early identification of talented athletes, consistent training, participation in local and international competitions, and securing adequate funding. By adopting these measures, Abubakar believes Nigeria can position itself as a serious medal contender at the upcoming Games.
