July 12, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s former top-ranked tennis player, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, has expressed concern over the country’s inadequate preparations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
With only a year remaining until the Games, Abubakar warns that Nigeria’s last-minute preparations will relegate the nation to a mere participant rather than a contender for medals. While some progress has been observed in athletics, other sports, even those where Nigeria has retained a competitive advantage, appear to be lagging. Abubakar stressed that improving Nigeria’s Olympic prospects will hinge on the early identification of elite athletes and sustained training and support.
Abubakar, who participated in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, said: “Other nations started preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics a day after the last one in Japan. They know who is not going to cut it and they have been preparing and supporting those that will make it. They have a calendar right from the beginning and they stay with the calendar till competition time. For all these nations that take the Olympics very seriously, funding for the Games is already secured and all they worry about is performance and how to improve their athletes.”
In contrast, Nigeria tends to neglect Olympic preparations until a few months before the Games. Adequate funding is crucial for serious Olympic contenders, but Nigeria often falls short in this regard. Abubakar stressed the need for national sports federations to take responsibility for identifying talent early and ensuring comprehensive preparation.
In his observation, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria was the only federation currently preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics. They have been actively participating in local and international competitions, providing athletes with valuable experience and exposure.
However, other federations, such as boxing, were struggling due to mismanagement and lack of support from the Sports Ministry. The adjunct professor at Florida International University, therefore, urged the government to address these twin issues to avoid further disarray and ensure Nigeria’s athletes can compete at their best.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
