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Nigeria has enjoyed mixed fortunes in the world of sports over the past 64 years, but that is not enough for a country of over 200 million people considering the amount of talent the country has in the field. You might want to make a point.
Nigerian athletes have won a total of 27 medals, mainly in athletics and boxing. The Dream Team won a gold medal in soccer at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
The Super Eagles have won the African Cup of Nations three times: in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Nigeria is Africa’s most successful footballing nation, winning a total of 58 trophies, 29 silver medals and 27 bronze medals in men’s and women’s football.
A sports journalist looks at how Nigeria has fared well in sports compared to other countries, where it is lacking and where it lies ahead.
Jide Olaniran believes that Nigeria is failing to utilize the country’s vast human resources and that a lack of structure and deliberate policies are holding the country back.
He said: “Given our size and our hugely talented population, we are not faring any better. For example, it is difficult for a country like Nigeria to win a single Olympic medal. That shouldn’t be the case,” he said.
“We have not intentionally or purposefully been committed to creating policies and implementing them for sports to function. It looks like.
“We will develop structures at the grassroots level, from local and state to national levels, so that experts who know current trends can be in charge. Once again, we need to realize that sport is a serious business and paying lip service to its development will get us nowhere. .”
Enitan Obadina has blamed the lack of underlying legislation to guide the practice of sports in Nigeria as the main factor hindering the development of sports in Nigeria.
he said. “We are not in a better place as a country. There is no law or policy to guide the practice of sports in Nigeria and the lack of infrastructure remains a major factor. We’re stumbling, and problems like those from the last Olympics still exist.
Obadina said law and policy were the missing link, while urging the government to invest in sports facilities and science.
He said: “Law and policy are the missing link. Governments alone cannot fund sport, and there are no laws that make it attractive for private citizens to enter the sport industry. We need to invest in facilities and science for
“More emphasis should be placed on developmental sports and professional leagues should be left to the private sector. More standard grassroots competition and management of young talent. More international exposure.”
However, Olusola Adebayo has a different opinion, saying that Nigeria’s achievements in the field of sports are relatively large compared to other countries.
He said, “Nigeria’s track record in the field of sports is relatively good compared to other countries. Masu.
“In soccer, Nigeria is the first African country to win an Olympic gold medal.Remember Atlanta 96?The same applies to the men’s FIFA U-17 Youth World Cup, where the Super Eagles are perhaps Africa’s biggest It’s a brand. When it comes to women’s football, there’s no other country like it on this continent.
“Basketball, boxing, athletics for the last 64 years. Nigeria has had her moments too and we have done pretty well compared to our peers in these sports.
“But while there is potential to move the story beyond Africa in terms of talent, it is due to management deficiencies due to a lack of will and structure.”
Mr Adebayo cited inadequate administrative structures, corruption and lack of political will as the missing links.
In terms of what is missing, he said that firstly the poor administrative structure is the problem, then the corruption and then the intentionality of the athletes instead of relying on their talent, as they say that talent alone is not enough. He said it was the political will to develop the sport. There has to be a structure to develop and discover talent. ”
The experienced sportscaster emphasized the future direction.
He said: “The missing link highlighted above needs to be fixed. Management structures should be bottom-up and not the other way around.
“Establish and fund local sports development councils, equip them with equipment and facilities, and focus on development rather than competition as is currently the case. There must be no room for corruption at all.
“Let’s bring back school sport and reinvigorate Interhouse at all levels up to tertiary level. The policy driver is to make sport more than just recreation and an alternative for school leavers, but also a business entity. It should be.”
