₦airaland Forum

emkz:
Well, has Peter Obi expressed his own disappointment in losing the 2023 presidential elections?

How many times did he support the athletes?

In his lamentations, he failed to proffer solutions. He only claimed the money spent on athletes was more than what was spent in the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Because I am all for solutions and no lamentations, I like to propose as follows:

(1) We can't prepare for an event three months before when we had a clear 4-year window. We need to start preparing for the next Olympics NOW!

(2) We have certain events where we have comparative advantages. For example, swimming amd canoeing. The Niger Delta folks with preparation can easily shine here. Some people expressed surprise that break dancing was part of the Olympics. I am reasonably well traveled and I can say Nigeria has some of the best dancers in the world. We can also stand out in archery and diving given adequate preparation.

(3) We also must revive Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Nigerian Polytechnic Games Association (NIPOGA), Principal's Cup, National Sports Festival and get corporate organizations to participate.

(4) All tertiary institutions must make two sporting activities compulsory for students, even if it is chess. It helps the mind.

(5) Let universities provide full scholarships for talented student-athletes. They can look for a sport-loving corporate organization to endow such a fund.

(6) As a matter of urgency, let people who are truly passionate about sports take charge of sporting federations.

(7) Let us look at countries doing well and copy what they did. By identifying talents and grooming them, we can make it.

Let me start by stating that I am not disappointed in Team Nigeria. Despite the fact that the female basketball team, D'Tigress, were blocked in the last Olympics by one sports minister, they made a good showing in this year's Olympics, defeating Australia and Canada. Rene Wakama made a brilliant showing and won the best coach at the Olympics. Favour Ofili, we are sorry it did not go as planned. Train harder and you'd only get better. We'd support you the best way we can. Blessing Oborodudu, you came close the last time. We hope you'd get even better. Ese Brume, you won for us before; we have faith in you. The male relay team, you surely learnt your lessons and would avoid the mistakes next time. For the weightlifters, please work harder. For those I might have forgotten, those of us who have had to represent others understand the pressure you faced carrying the burden and hopes of a country.

I believe I speak the minds of sensible Nairalanders and Nigeria when I say:

WE ARE GRATEFUL!