Drowning Nigeria Sports

A worldwide acclaimed English poet cum actor and Playwright, Williams Shakespeare once wrote; “It’s not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

” His well taught out quote since 16th century while he was on earth steadily plays itself in the contemporary Nigeria.

Year after year, Nigerians roll out drums to celebrate their independence and those whose interest are agog with sporting finesse usually wonder what do they stand to celebrate in a sector which is vastly gasping for breath.

Although, most Persons prefer to ponder internally, only very few summon courage to speak out against all odds in a system begging for deliverance and full blown restoration.

Even as the lone voice cries in the wilderness, one equally wonders if the ears have refused to open, hear, and then flush down for utmost understanding of administrators who have been entrusted to use the best of initiative to take forward-looking decisions concerning Nigeria sports in all spheres.

Before now, Critics were of the view that the sporting arena in the country was headed for the rocks.

However, with what the eyes could see or may be feel at the moment, what description will those watching closely with keen interest now pass as verdict? Fifteen seven years after Nigeria gained independence from colonial rule, Sports overseers in a Nation with arguably over 180 million People still parade themselves with mostly ‘intimidating’ complimentary cards.

I’m talking about most President and board members of various sports federations who are portfolio careers waiting wind fall Rather than reason a way through which athletes entrusted in their hands will excel or perhaps be discovered for international exploits, their thinking is stuck on available trips to embark on, so far government or global body continue to doll out the cash that will serve as travel allowance (estacode).

They don’t even care if all the talents Nigeria has decide to pitch tent with other countries.

During the last Olympic Games, over 15 athletes of Nigeria origin represented diff erent Nations in Europe, America and Asia and won medals.

Yet, this same Nigeria has continued to grapple with podium performance at any Olympic.

Only the country’s football team nicknamed Dream Team V1 dogged out bronze medal out of over 200 events athletes competed for.

Th e supervisory organ of government positioned to monitor these administrators eventually turns to hunters whose interest is in their pocket not to do the work of him that sent him.

Th e election that was conducted barely three months ago, where over 30 sporting federations inside Abuja National stadium took part, is one show which literarily turned hunters to metamorphose as the hunted.

Th e outcome of that poll consumed a top official in Ministry of Youth and Sports who was sent on compulsory transfer from a viable Federation Athletes’ department to research corner, a department many see as ‘seat down dey look’ environment after she was accused of swindling unsuspecting position seekers.

Some others were alleged to have been involved in their shady deals which are yet to be blown open.

As it has always been, out of the 31 already inaugurated federations, only few would be seen to be carrying out one form of activity or the other in times to come.

And when fresh electioneering is around the corner, they will pick forms and contest same election.

No shame? You may want to ask.

Only recently, the ineptitude of Nigeria’s Sports administrators was exposed inside ‘abandoned’ Abuja National stadium.

A young innocent citizen, full of life who is believed to be either a staff or athlete joined her Ancestors untimely after she was said to have been electrocuted by unattended high tension electrical wire around package B section of the sports ground.

Th e over 60, 000 stadium capacity in question, which is actually among the biggest sport arena in the continent has been left without power supply barely two years due to what officials attributed to accumulated non-payment of bills.

In most cases when any event takes place, millions of naira would be spent on diesel purchase.

Times abound when millions of naira were raked by federal government from individuals or independent organisation who apply to use the decaying facilities for either religious or political rally which the environment is not even meant for, yet maintenance of same has remained an illusion.

Day after day, grasses grow taller than most part of the stadium.

And so, attention has shifted entirely from maintenance of a gigantic edifice constructed shortly before 2003 All Africa Games hosted in Nigeria.

Th e football pitch itselfis now a shadow of itself as powers that be within the Ministry of Youth and Sports have been engaging in an endless re-grassing of the soil.

Th e country’s senior National team, Super Eagles now move from one state to another, knocking on Governors’ door to host their matches.

All the federal government owned stadia including the ones in Lagos, Kaduna amongst others no longer exist.

Animal of diff erent sizes, shapes and location have taken over.

Poor funding or sometimes no funding of athletes’ training and participation at both continental and international competitions no longer qualifies as headline pick.

It’s now a norm for top officials of the ministry to ask coaches and even athletes to go and source funds themselves in most cases.

Yet, cash, visas, air tickets would be readily available at any day they (the administrators) are scheduled to travel for any event whatsoever.

Anyone expecting salvation in sight will wait forever until either government hands off completely from sports management or make the sector top priority in the scheme of things in the Nation.

Surprisingly, the meagre budget allocated to the entire sports (both for infrastructure and human development), a sector that should take care of majority of frustrated youths is even less than a particular sport in some countries within Africa.

Yet, about 40% of the allocated amount doesn’t get released.

Also, age-cheat syndrome in virtually in all spheres has left our sporting activities almost dead.

Th e just concluded National Youth Games at Ilorin, Kwara state capital, a competition meant for upcoming athletes that are less than 17 years old has fi led many mouths with sour taste.

Are there still plans in the pipeline (like they use to say) to at least make any reasonable forward movement than round-the-clock approach where we have found ourselves? Only the ‘renewed’ mind among the administrative ‘clique’ would rightly provide us with the practicable solution.

Genuinely, change is the answer

 

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