It was very disappointing to read the response of the Nigerian Minister of Sports Development regarding Ese Ukpeseraye’s experience at the Olympics. While the intent might have been to clarify, it raises more concerns than it addresses the issues that precipitated the experience of Ese at the Olympics.
First, to suggest that acquiring the necessary equipment takes “months” in the context of a global sporting event like the Olympics seems at best, an overstatement, and at worst, an attempt to deflect responsibility. We live in an era where logistics and rapid procurement are part and parcel of global competition. There are countless avenues to expedite the delivery of specialized equipment, especially for an event as significant as the Olympics. This is especially true in Europe, where Paris, the host city, is within easy reach of numerous suppliers. The issue was not one of impossibility but perhaps a lack of prompt action and foresight.
Furthermore, it is disappointing to see that even after Nigeria was given a second chance, with reallocated slots for additional cycling events, the response of the Sports Ministry was sluggish. Instead of seizing the opportunity and ensuring that our athletes had everything they needed, we are now reading about borrowed bikes and last-minute fixes. The logistics of acquiring the correct bike should have been a priority the moment the reallocation was announced.
It speaks to a broader issue: the consistent failure of the Nigerian Sports Ministry to adequately prepare and support its athletes. This instance with Ese is not an isolated one but part of a trend where Nigerian athletes are often left scrambling for the bare minimum while their counterparts are fully equipped and supported. The recently concluded Olympics showed a disappointing level of contribution from the ministry, and this response does nothing to instill confidence that things will change.
As earlier mentioned, this instance is not isolated. Favor Ofili, a promising young sprinter, faced similar challenges, including visa issues, inadequate training facilities, and failure to be registered by the appropriate national bodies, which hampered her performance. Due to this perpetual failure by the Nigerian sports ministry, several Nigerian athletes have also been forced to switch allegiances to other countries that provided the necessary support and resources to excel.
To address the persistent failures plaguing Nigeria’s sports sector, the Sports Ministry must embrace a transformative approach. First and foremost, increased funding is crucial—not just for the sake of appearances but to ensure that athletes have access to the resources needed for their development. This includes not only financial support for training and participation in international competitions but also long-term investments that go beyond the immediate pressures of an Olympic cycle.
In tandem with better funding, there must be a commitment to improving infrastructure. Nigeria’s athletes should not be forced to train with outdated or inadequate facilities and equipment while competing on the world stage against countries with state-of-the-art technology. We need to invest in modern training facilities and equipment that match international standards, which are crucial to fostering growth and enhancing performance.
Equally important is governance within the ministry itself. It’s not enough to allocate resources; they must be used effectively. Transparent, accountable governance structures are essential to prevent mismanagement and ensure that funds reach the athletes and programs they are meant for. The ministry needs to reimagine how it identifies and nurtures talent as well, establishing systems that actively scout and develop young athletes from the grassroots level upwards, ensuring they are properly prepared for elite competition.
Finally, comprehensive support must become a priority. Athletes need more than just financial backing; they require access to quality coaching, medical care, and psychological support. Their success depends on an environment that caters to their holistic well-being, helping them to thrive both physically and mentally. By addressing these foundational issues, the Nigerian Sports Ministry can finally create the conditions in which our athletes can reach their full potential and compete with confidence on the world stage.
Our athletes deserve better—timely support, proper preparation, and access to the necessary tools to compete on the world stage. This lackadaisical approach cannot be allowed to persist. We owe it to them and to our country to do better.