The curtain has fallen on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, leaving Nigeria with a performance that fell short of expectations.
In a heartfelt address, Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of Sports Development, acknowledged the team’s underwhelming results and pledged to address the deficiencies observed.
Upon taking office in August 2023, Enoh faced the formidable challenge of managing Nigeria’s participation in four major international sports events within a compressed timeframe.
The Olympics, he noted, typically require at least four years of preparation, but Nigeria had less than a year to gear up.
Despite these constraints, the goal was to replicate or surpass the success of the Atlanta 1996 Games.
The approach involved extensive consultations with National Sports Federations, a nationwide inspection of sports facilities, and the formation of a Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee.
Training was organized both locally and in Germany and Spain, where athletes received top-tier support.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ensured that financial constraints were not a factor, with funds allocated promptly for athletes’ needs and allowances.
Nevertheless, the results did not reflect the investment and efforts made. Enoh expressed regret, stating, “We must turn the disastrous outcome of the 2024 Olympics into a huge positive for Nigerian sports,” and promised a thorough review of athlete preparation, coaching, and administrative support.
With the Paralympic Games approaching, the focus will shift to ensuring that lessons learned translate into improved performance.
