Please let everyone calm down. The Olympics just started. I think Nigeria has opportunities to win a couple of medals in Tokyo.
Most of us stakeholders should encourage, rather than discourage at this time. There is a reason only over 50 athletes, including the two basketball teams qualified for this Olympics – it’s difficult just to qualify. In sports like wrestling, there are only 16 participants allowed per Olympic weight class. That’s how tough it is to qualify.
We all must share in the current position of sports in the country. Yes, the federal government has a whole lot to do in sports development, but the private sector and different levels of government also have major roles to play.
Of course, results dating back to the last four Olympics have not particularly dignified Nigeria’s standing at the Olympics, but let’s not put the blame at the foot of the sports minister. In my view, he has been one of the most hands-on ministers we have had in recent times. That’s not to say we can’t do better.
Preparations must start early – this has become an overused cliche. At the 2016 Olympics, Japan brought ten of their 2024 Olympic prospects to watch the whole game. That’s futuristic planning. You can only plan to expose scouted and identified athletes to watch an Olympic Games 8 years out when there is multi-year budget planning. That is when a sporting federation knows its biannual budget and can plan for its national teams, junior and cadet teams, and upgrading clinics for referees and technical officials. Someone mentioned Wrestling in This regard, we are only able to do about 20% of what is required due to lack of funds.
A lot of factors inhibit such planning in Nigeria, but this is not a time to start being hard on our Olympians currently competing. Trust me, even the ones that are not on such platforms read and hear and feel the energy from Nigerians – especially Nigerians with vested interests such as people on this forum.
Right after the 2016 Olympics, I received a letter from Olympians Canada. They wanted us to fundraise to support athletes going to subsequent games. As I write, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised to help the preparation, competition, and upkeep of about 10 Olympians on the current Canadian Olympic team. Every day I am kept apprised of the athletes we directly funded for this Olympics. Even with such support though, maybe one or two or even none May medal at this Games – the aim of sending athletes to the Games oftentimes is to ensure that they fulfill their Olympic dreams. Am not in any way implying that we should be going to the Olympics merely to participate. However, I believe you can’t win medals if you don’t participate and compete. There are several such funds from private individuals and companies in other climes – Canada for example. I personally benefited as an athlete From about five different funds that help athletes prepare for Multi-sport games, in addition to the upkeep allowance from the federal government on a yearly basis. I think the ADOPT AN ATHLETE initiative was geared towards this direction.
Methinks, We as critical stakeholders in the sports business have to put heads together to support this process better than it currently is. What is at stake at major multi-sport events is beyond a blame game. Let’s remain positive and encourage team Nigeria. My thoughts…! Daniel Igali
