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Olympics: Like Crude Oil, Nigerian Sports Is Raw Material For US, Europe, Other Countries 
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Olympics: Like Crude Oil, Nigerian Sports Is Raw Material For US, Europe, Other Countries 

Nigeria has a higher population than the combined total of Qatar, Slovakia, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Cape Verde, Albania, Mongolia, Panama, Tajikistan, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Dominica, Chile, Botswana, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Cuba. Yet, these countries won medals in Paris, with some like Cape Verde having less than a population of 500 thousand people compared to Nigeria’s 233 million.
3 months ago
2 mins read
The Paris Olympics have been concluded, and Nigeria’s performance once again sparked discussions about the nation’s sporting potential and preparation. With a contingent of 88 athletes competing in 12 events, Nigeria left the Games without securing any medals. This is why Paris 2024 is seen as the worst outing judging by the number of games and athletes.
At the last Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Nigeria went with 55 athletes for 10 sports. At its best outing in 1996, when it had two gold medals, one silver and three bronze, Nigeria had 65 athletes in nine sports events.
The outcome in Paris stands in stark contrast to the impressive tally of the United States, which topped the medal chart with 126 medals—40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. The U.S. equaled China’s 40 gold medals on the last day, but did far better in silver and bronze medals, where China garnered 27 and 24 respectively to haul in 91 medals in total.

Nigeria Managed to get 30 medals in  five past Olympics – 2008 to 2024

The lack of medals for Nigeria is not an anomaly but rather a continuation of a troubling trend. Historically, Nigeria has struggled to surpass a total of 30 medals in the five past Olympics -2008 to 2024. For context, the combined medal counts of the U.S. and China exceed the total medals amassed by the entire African continent over the last five Olympics.
Nigeria’s underwhelming performance raises several questions, especially considering the achievements of smaller nations. Nigeria has a higher population than the combined total of Qatar, Slovakia, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Cape Verde, Albania, Mongolia, Panama, Tajikistan, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Dominica, Chile, Botswana, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Cuba. Yet, these countries won medals in Paris, with some like Cape Verde having less than a population of 500 thousand people compared to Nigeria’s 233 million. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that at least 10 athletes originally from Nigeria won eight medals for the US, Germany, Spain, and Bahrain, highlighting a potential issue with Nigeria’s own talent development and retention strategies. Four of the medals were gold.
In basketball, Nigeria’s team had a commendable run, reaching an Africa record of quarterfinals before being defeated by the U.S., which eventually claimed gold. However, an unsettling fact remains: a far majority of the Nigerian basketball players are based outside Africa, let alone Nigeria. This international presence may have contributed to their strong performance, contrasting sharply with the situation of other Nigerian athletes.
Several issues have emerged as points of concern for Nigerian sports. The case of sprinter Favour Ofili, who missed the 100-meter sprint due to registration issues, and a cyclist, Ese
Ukpeseraye, who had to rely on a German team for a bicycle, reflect deeper systemic problems. Additionally, the lack of impressive fan support in some events like football and handball, underscores the disconnect between the Nigerian Olympic organizers and the public.

Areas of Improvement for Good Results

As Nigeria reflects on its performance in Paris, it is clear that there are significant areas needing improvement. The country must address its approach to talent identification, grassroots training, and support for athletes. The experience in Paris highlights the urgent need for a strategic overhaul to ensure that Nigerian athletes are adequately prepared and supported for future international competitions.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s Olympic performance in Paris serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. As the nation continues to strive for excellence in sports, the lessons from this disappointing chapter should catalyze reforms and reinvigorate efforts to enhance Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.

 

Dr Mbamalu is a Jefferson Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and a renowned Publisher.

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MARCEL MBAMALU
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Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.

A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.

He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.

A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.

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MARCEL MBAMALU Latest posts

Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.

A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.

He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.

A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.

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