By Uzor Odigbo
It’s no longer news that Nigeria’s AthIetes are negatively feeling the dastardly effect of the hardship in the country and described it as career ending development.
Majority of them that commented on condition of anonymity expressed dismay over not being able eat a square meal daily these days unlike in the past.
Some of them expressed fears at the prevalent adverse situation in the country which could force majority of them to end their Athletics career abruptly.
One of the Athletes said, “To train for competition as an athlete, I used to drink Gari. The pathetic aspect is that my first real meal in two months was in Accra, Ghana when Team Nigeria participated in the CAA Senior Athletics Championships. Before then, I usually survive on junk food and for an athlete, this is dangerous.”
Another athlete say many of them have similar experience but ashamed to tell anyone.
“I’m a graduate, I chose sports, especially AthIetics because I’m talented and doing well too.
“My colleagues are brave and resilient, some of them came to Ghana with Ijebu Gari, not for fun but as a standby necessity. Thank God Nigeria did well at Zone ll AthIetics Championships.
“We are also grateful to AFN leadership for giving us allowance, unlike what happened after the Africa Games where allowance was not immediately paid. With it, a lot could be achieved, at least, in buying some vitamins and food stuff to train for competitions ahead.
“Most AthIetes that attended the Zone ll Championships in Accra Ghana were talented, however the hardship in the country may drastically set their career back following the dearth of finance. Some of them are going to pay back the money they borrowed, while some might not make the team after AFN national Trials in Benin and CAA Championships in Douala Cameroon next week, so the struggle continues.
“My advice is that AthIetes need funds to perform well. Sports loving people must assist sports to grow in Nigeria,” he said.