We need to rebuild, says sports minister after disappointing outing at Paris Olympics
By Jeffrey Agbo
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has urged Nigerians to use the experience at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics to turn attention to what the sector requires.
As of press time, Nigeria had yet to win a medal in spite of competing in 12 events with 88 athletes.
At a news conference with Nigerian journalists in Paris on Friday, Enoh said the nation should turn what has happened at the summer Olympics in France to a huge positive.
The minister also querried the level of sports infrastructure in Nigeria as well as funding, adding that there are numerous challenges facing the administration of the sector.
“How much this challenges us, for me, I wish I was speaking with you with records of results and outcomes that are better.
READ ALSO:
Horrible Olympics: Amusan crashed out of 100mH semifinals, Nigeria’s 4x400m men team disqualified
“Let us turn what has happened to huge positives for Nigerian sports, there are lots of takeaways even though we didn’t get the medals.
“The basketball team achieved what has never been achieved before, long jump, we may not have won any medal but we had three Nigerians taking part in the finals,” Enoh said.
Enoh, who expreesed concerns about the commitment and the patriotism of some of the athletes, said this was not to drag any of them.
The minister said there are too many variables that are responsible for doing well at the Olympics.
“Olympics are a function of too many variables, talking about the training and preparation, how much of it took place.
“The commitment of the athletes and their level of patrotism, when I say what I want to say, I’m by no means trying to drag any of the athletes.
“As young men and women, they have done well for their country.
“I remain proud of our athletes in spite of the outcome of the Olympics, it is not easy in a world of billions of people,” Enoh said.
