Julius OkorieClimbing to the 6th floor of life and heading gradually to the 7th floor is not a joke.
That is why when some talk of nascent democracy for a country that is celebrating 64th independent, you cannot but wonder whether Obi is destined to remain a boy or whether Eze will remain in school forever, apologies to Nzekwu and Crowder, authors of children’s book “Eze Goes To School”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEvery edition of Nigeria’s independent brings with it pleasant and sad memories.
In a country of estimated over 250million people with a mirage of political, ethnic, religious and social differences having a common cause to celebrate as a nation is not always easy.
Cry of marginalisation, nepotism and favoritism and many other corrupt tendencies make it impossible for the country to celebrate in the real sense of it.
However one unifying force that has broken all barriers over the years is Sports.
In spite of the mirage of divisions, when a Nigeria team or athlete steps out to compete with the world in any sports, the effect is magical as Nigerians often forget the divisions to savour the moment.
This is why whatever is happening in sports affects the people and the nation.
Haven identified this unique selling point (USP) one would have therefore expected Nigeria to invest heavily in Sports not only because it has been identified as unifying force in the country but also because it serves as source of employment for the nation’s teeming youths seeking areas to channel their energy.
Aside from that a good performance from an athlete at any event like the Olympics for instance is capable of lifting a nation from level of obscurity to the pinnacle of fame.
READ ALSO:Nigeria At 64: We’re Celebrating Unprecedented Hunger – Citizens Lament
Unfortunately the nation which prides herself as giant of Africa has recorded minimal impact in Sports not comparable to its giant of Africa status.
Although some of her athletes like late World Boxing Champions Dick Tiger and Hogan Bassey,ex-Olympians as Isaac Ikhuoria, Peter Konyegwachi, Chioma Ajunwa, Faliat Osheku Ogunkoya, Segun Toriola, Jay Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Amunike, Kanu Nwankwo, Funke Oshonaike,
late Rashidi Yekini, Innocent Egbunike, Mercy Mku, Fatima Yusuf, Chidi Imoh, Bose Kaffo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Nduka Odizor, Atanda Musa, Late Stephen Keshi, Nduka Odizor, Late Mike Opara, David Imonite, John Mikel Obi, Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan to mention just a few have lifted the nation in their various sports at one time or the other, a look at records indicate that there is a gradual decline in the nation’s achievement in sports.
Some of the yardstick for measuring a country’s achievement and impact in sports includes appearances and performances at regional, continental and Global stage.
Breaking it down in the case of Nigeria, performances WAFU events, AFCON, WAFCON,Olympics, Paralympics FIBA, Africa Athletics and World athletics Championships events and of course the World Cup.
Nigeria’s performance in these areas in recent times depicts a neither here nor there report card. Using outgoing year 2024 as a specimen it is safe to opine that sports in Nigeria is struggling to be at its best with steady decline.
- Nations Cup
At the last AFCON held in Januay/February this year in Cote d Ivoire the Eagles finished second behind eventual winners and hosts Elephants of Cote d Ivoire.The nation has been to AFCON 20 times after making a debut in 1963, emerging champions three times, 1980,1994 and 2013. The triumph in 2013 for instance was followed by third place finish in Egypt, round of 16 crash in Cameroon and runners up finish in Cote d Ivoire commendable but not excellent report card for a team that boasts players making waves in Europe.
With Six appearances at the FIFA World Cup and the best outing being round of 16 ouster in 1994, 98 and 2014 looks more like stagnation.
- Olympics:
The 33rd Olympics in France was a huge disappointment. Team Nigeria parading 88 athletes returned home without a medal of any colour. From available record the worst outing so far in the Olympics. Having Atlanta 96 as the best outing where Nigeria won two gold medals, in 28 years is certainly not a fantastic report.
- WAFCON And Women World Cup:
Eleven time winners of Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Super Falcons at the last edition in Morocco finished fourth losing to Zambia in the third place match.
Since its inception the championship in 1991 the team has finished third once and fourth twice. The team may be said to have the password of this championship finishing fourth at the last edition not withstanding as they have highest wins so far.
But at the Olympics the team returned on stage after 16 years of failing to qualify, and crashing out in the group stage after losing three matches to Brazil, Spain and Japan, an indication that more efforts needs to be injected.
At the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand it was a round of 16 finish.
With 9-time appearances at the world cup and the highest point being Quarterfinal in 1999, 25 years ago, does not depict much progress.
D-Tigress:
The Women basketball team, made a major achievement at the Paris Olympics in France becoming the first Africa side male or female to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games basketball.
But then it is on record that the team made a debut in Athens in 2004 but had to wait for 20 years for their second victory. So the team was practically in limbo for 20 years despite being a force to be reckoned with in the continent.
When Athletics Disappoints:
The hopes were high at the Paris Olympics with the likes of world 100m hurdles champion Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili all tipped as medal hopefuls but alas no medal came either from neither individual events nor relays.
Rather it was controversy over the exclusion of Favour Ofili from the 100m race following administrative flop that dominated discussions, with the Minister of Sports John Enoh promising to investigate the matter and the people are still waiting.
Overcoming The Usual Excuse
At the end of every major championship involving Nigeria and her athletes excuses for non-performance sound like broken records, they include but not limited to :
*Poor funding and late release of funds:
Championships are scheduled long enough enable athletes and teams prepare. Delay in such preparation due to non-release of funds, poor funding and late release of funds affect preparation, the result is poor outing.
*Delay in picking round pegs for round holes:
The recent scenario that played out in the course of seeking a new coach for the Super Eagles after the departure of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro is a typical example of chasing rats while the house is on fire.
A foreign coach Bruno Labbadia was to be contracted after the resignation of Finidi George and everything points to his coming a day to a crucial double header against Benin Republic and Rwanda. What time does he have to settle down to know the players especially one who has never coached a national team. But for last minute decision to engage standby technical Adviser Austin Eguavoen, the dilly-dally, would have continued.
Square Pegs In Round Holes:
Sports, is a special area and results are based on performance. Politics of contesting for office and emerging president of Sports Federations without being grounded in such sports needs to stop. Elections into sports federations generate so much heat and a lot of campaign; it should not be about who has more money but who has the passion and knowledge to lead the sport.
The minister Sports recently read the riot act on need to have only passionate administrators vie for elective office in sports Federations, saying, “We need to show more commitment, focus and passion to succeed. We do not want federation presidents who are not committed or are only there to protect their own interests. We need the commitment of the leadership of all the federations,” Enoh said.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
