Failure of Nigeria Sports Administrators to learn from past mistakes has continued to hinder Youth Sports Development according to Prof. Gabriel Ken Gadaffi.
Prof. Ken Gadaffi who is the Expert / Special Adviser to the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia stated this in a Sports Safari Program on Loveworld TV .
” It is Surprising that Nigeria has not learned from the mistakes from the Past, talking about Youth Development, In the Past, we used to play sports in the Schools, and Sports is all about Youth, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports ought to work together in Synergy” Dr Ken Gadaffi Enthused
“People involved in Sports are young people, Unfortunately in Nigeria most children get actively involved when they are already 15-16 years of age, unlike in most other countries where children start to involve in sports from 2-5 years old” he opined
Prof. Gabriel Ken also pointed out that Most children in Nigeria will have to reduce their ages because they started late which of course will affect them in the future.
“Because the children started late and they have small sizes, they would tell you they are 10 years whereas they are about 15-16years old” he noted
For Nigeria to get back on track in Youth sports development, Prof. Ken Gadaffi admonished the govt and respective Sports Authority to bring back schools sports and set up Sports Academies for children to start to learn sports early. He also suggested that Government should build more Sports and Community Centers, “The lack of Sports Facilities inhibits Young Athletes to engage in Sports” He stated.
Prof Ken Gadaffi who is Director of Rising Stars International Sports Academy is in Nigeria to guide and organize Coaching Clinics for youths in Football and Basketball through his KG Sports Academy in Mowe Ogun State and Agbor, Delta State
