Nigeria’s Olympic Journey: The Promise Of A Brighter Tomorrow

The 2024 Paris Olympics I & II and the glittering moments of triumph for some and the pain of blighted hope for others have come and gone.  So, the dates, 26th July to 11th August and 28th August to 8th September, 2024 will resonate in the world of sports, as spectacular moments of exulted triumph for many countries and their individual athletes who participated.

Conversely, it’s also painful feelings of subdued national psyche for many others.  But what the two scenarios show is that neither the joy of big wins at the twin games nor the feeling of defeat is a finality or completeness of vanquish but stimuli for new horizons.

2.          Nigeria should particularly not lament excessively over the fact that some billions spent on the athletes yielded relatively disappointing results. Sports are inherently unpredictable, and athletes experience both good and bad days. Beyond that, Nigeria has a rich and sporting history, with past performances yielding impressive results that continue to bring glory to the nation.

HOW THE COUNTRIES PERFORMED

3.  The official records of the main games in Paris show that 206 countries represented by their National Olympics Committees participated with a total of 10,500 athletes.  This contrasts sharply with only 12 countries and 241 athletes, which participated in the first Olympic Games, which was held in Athens in 1896.  In terms of actual performance in Paris, as usual, the US came atop with 126 medals followed by China (91 medals), United Kingdom (65 medals), France (64 medals), Japan (54 medals) and Australia (53 medals). Others are Italy (40 medals), Netherlands (34 medals), Germany (33 medals), South Korea (32 medals), Canada (27 medals), and New Zealand (20 medals), etc.

4.  From the African continent, some countries managed to put their names on the medal scoreboard. These include Kenya which emerged as the 17th overall best on the medals’ table with 11 medals, 4 being gold, followed by South Africa which won 6 medals, Ethiopia 4, Algeria won 3 medals, Egypt 3. Others are Botswana 2 medals, out of which was gold in 200 metres men relay, and Uganda also had 2 medals.

5.  In the follow-up 17th edition of Paralympic Games, which has just ended in Paris, 4,520 athletes from 163 countries participated, interestingly recording a number of remarkable feats. With respect to the summer games (Paralympics), China topped the medal table with 207 medals, followed in a distant second by the United Kingdom with 124 medals, United States with 104 medals and Netherlands with 56 medals. For Africa, Algeria came 25th with 11 medals and Nigeria and Egypt at 40th and 41st positions respectively, with 7 medals each.  

OUR PAST AND PRESENT

6.  Although we did not do too well in Paris, some of our athletes, such as Blessing Okorodudu in wrestling, competed, got to the semifinals despite a major injury. Odunayo Adekuoroye also in wrestling was rated to have done extremely well.  This was the same for Tobi Amusan in 100-meter hurdles and Ese Brume in the long jump.  Moreover, Miss Rena Wakama, the affable coach of D’Tigress, our female basketball team, which valiantly reached the quarterfinals, has received significant honours.   For the icing on the cake, Nigeria secured 2 gold, 3 silvers, and 2 bronze medals through the brilliant performance of the world record breaker, Folasade Oluwafemiayo and her colleague Onyiyechi Madu, etc.

.7. Indeed, we must also relish in the realization that in Paris, at least eight individuals of Nigerian origin competed and secured various medals for other countries. They include: Yemisi Ogunleye (Gold, Germany), Salewa Eid Nasser (Gold, Bahrain), Arnette Echikunevoke (Silver, USA), Sam Orodun (Gold, football, Spain), Michael Olise (Silver, football, France), Femi Bam Adebayo (Gold, Basketball, USA), Victor Uhoruogu (Bronze, UK), and Bartholomew Chineyeze (Gold, Volleyball, France). Their joy is Nigeria’s pride!

8.  Lest we forget, some notable past performances by Nigeria including Olabisi Afolabi’s silver led medal win in the 4 x 100 meters relay at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and Falilat Ogunkoya’s bronze medal in the 400 meters event at the same games. Additionally, Nigeria’s football team won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics after defeating the dreaded Argentine team 3-2 at Sanford Stadium. Chioma Ajunwa also made a remarkable achievement, clinching the gold medal in long jump at that event. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Daniel Igali, who had relocated to Canada, became the star of the Canadian contingent, winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling – a first for Canada. The list is also endless when we consider the Paralympics, where Nigeria had previously made great impact in virtually all sports, including gold medals by Tatyana McFadda, Lucy Ejike, Esther Onyema, Nwosu Ndidi, as well as Ifeanyi Christian, Bose Omolayo, and Roland Ezuruike, all in power lifting.

9.  It needs mention that, Besides Olympic athletes, there are hundreds of notable individual Nigerian sportsmen who are bringing fame and renown to the name of the country abroad. The list is inexhaustible. Suffice it to mention a few current footballers like Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Chukwueze, and William Troost-Ekong Others are Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu, Henry Onyekuru, and Peter Olayinka. There are also female football stars as Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi, Francisca Ordega, and Halimat Ayinde, amongst others. If we look at basketball, there are top Nigerians in the NBA, including Giannis Antetokounpo, Victor Oladipo, and Josh Akognon. In the field of boxing, Anthony Joshua and Efe Ajagba continue to make Nigeria proud.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR NIGERIA?

10.  Going by the Paris outcome, it is obvious that to excel in sports, nations must invest heavily. Indeed, the obvious global north-south divide highlights the fact that achieving success in sports requires significant investment in infrastructure, in building athletes, and in training them. It adumbrates the fact that there is a complex relationship between financial resources, sports development, and performance.  So, the quantum of money invested can either enhance or undermine the competitive spirit of athletes. When we invest heavily in building our athletic teams, we tend to reap great rewards.

11.  For Nigeria to make progress, significant resources and efforts are required. We must initiate a talent hunt from the onset and prepare for the next Olympics with a sense of urgency, as if it were imminent. Apart from the more popular sports that Nigeria competes for, it is instructive to note that many other Olympic sports are indigenous to different parts of our country. For example, aquatic sports like swimming, rowing, and boat racing are already practised in rustic forms by people in the 8 coastal states and parts of the north-west and north central. Our sports managers and governors of the affected states must collaborate to identify and nurture young talents to become our potential Olympiads. Consequently, we need to train and retrain them for the next Olympics, which will demand considerable effort and resources. As the saying goes, “money talks,” and teams with more resources have a competitive edge. Specifically, we need to invest in engaging both national and foreign coaches to prepare for a successful outing at the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

12.  In other parts of the country, especially in the north, other forms of hybrid martial arts, which are very close to Olympic sports such as karate and taekwondo, are traditionally found and practiced. This is also popular in Lagos, where there is a Kick Boxing Academy and a Nigerian Kick Boxing Association. Similarly, Horse Riding or better known as Equestrian Sports and Archery, has been part of the history of many parts of Nigeria. Northern Nigeria has a rich history of these, and there is still a great presence around the country. Besides what we see in the Durbars, the Abuja International Horse Show, the Bida Horse Racing Festival and Polo tournaments in Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Kano have existing infrastructures to raise a new cadre of athletes. We also have the various polo clubs owned by the Army, the Nigerian Horse Society, Nigerian Polo society, and not the least, Nigeria Equestrian Federation.

13.  Even golfing which came back to the Olympics in Tokyo and Paris, there are at least 25 major Golf Clubs in the country and about 150 professional golfers who have a record of participating in African and international tournaments.  

DOES SPORTS BRING ANY RETURNS?

14.  In casual discussions, some query if sports is worth the expenditure. That is why the hullabaloo is also in government budgeting circles. No doubt, sports offer multifaceted benefits to the country both at the macro and micro levels. Primarily, when our athletes bring laurels on occasions when they have good outings, they raise the Nigerian flag in honour, glory, and respectability to the country and the people. At another important level, international sporting engagements promote friendship and national heroism. 

15.  One other benefit sometimes taken for granted is that international sports activities help generate huge income and foreign exchange to the country. According to Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC), a global brand with expertise in complex financial accounting issues, projected that the global sporting industry will hit $599 billion in 2025. Its counterpart, world-class consultants, Deloitte Inc projects that sports gain will reach $730 billion by 2027. Through endorsements and sponsorships, top athletes of Nigerian origin, like their counterparts from other countries, earn resources as they attract to themselves, lucrative endorsement deals from global brands. Many of them also win prizes, honors, and bonuses, some of which are quite substantial. At another level, the mere fact that we have great sportsmen and sportswomen helps attract tourists from other countries.

16.  In addition, successful athletes inspire younger generations and promote social cohesion. They also help to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage young people to engage in physical activities. Furthermore, national and international sports help to promote cultural exchange and understanding among nations and at subnational levels. When athletes from different states in Nigeria come together to compete, they share their cultures, traditions, and values, which help to break down barriers and promote more national understanding.    As a matter of fact, it is essential to recognize the capacity of sports to drive national development.

Concluding Thoughts

17.  There is no gainsaying the future is excitingly bright. For a country that is considered to have “the largest population of youth in the world and a median age of 18.1 years”, and that boast of “about 70% of the population is under 30”, Nigeria enjoys a competitive edge over all others in this sector.

18.  In all, Paris I & II showed promising signs of improvement, with a new talented crop of athletes making their debut on the global scene. However, to achieve success, Nigeria must diversify into new areas and consolidate in existing ones, such as tracks and fields, wrestling, basketball, and football. Sports administrators, especially at the level of the 36 states, must hunt and develop young talents, and supported by the private sector, with each state specializing in one or two specific sports.

19.  Nigeria’s performance at the Paris Olympics offers a valuable opportunity for the country to reassess its sports development strategy and invest in its athletes. By prioritizing talent identification, rigorous training, and meticulous preparation, Nigeria can transform its fortunes and achieve success in future Olympics, reaping the numerous benefits that accompany it.

20.  Let me deviate to share the story of my younger brother, Daniel Igali, a wrestler who became a world champion, Commonwealth champion, and Olympics gold medalist which highlight the importance of investment in sports development. Champ Daniel’s success was not accidental; it was the result of hard work, dedication, and, more importantly, investment in his training. It will be recalled that on his movement to Canada, he was immediately enabled to pursue university education up to Master’s level in one of that country’s leading academic institutions, Simon Fraiser University. In addition to this, he was shortly afterwards endorsed by several private sector groups, including Cheerios, one of the world’s leading breakfast cereal companies as their brand ambassador. This was in addition to sponsorship by TELUS, Canada’s Communication giant, and NIKE, a global sports apparel brand. FIOTEK, another Canadian brand that provides sports flooring equipment, also followed. In his own university, a mini sporting gym and a team of coaches were assigned to him. This is the extent to which countries, national governments, sub-nationals, and their private sectors go out of their way to take care of their athletes. Gladly, he has since returned home to take on the national wrestling team and is today, Commissioner of Sports in Bayelsa State.

21.  The country, therefore, must learn from its past experiences, invest in sports development, and support its athletes to achieve success in future Olympics.  In addition, Nigeria must adopt a new approach to sports management, one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, athlete’s welfare, funding, facilities, and equipment for athletes, as well as ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their efforts. It is difficult to compare Nigeria with the more developed countries, but in the United States, for example, Olympic medalists receive $37,000 for gold, $22,000 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze.  Our sportsmen in Nigeria must similarly be treated with the appreciation, dignity, and respect which they truly deserve.

22.  Welcome back home, our sportsmen and women, as we prepare for the journey ahead.

Dr. Igali is a former Ambassador and a patron of Nigerian Wrestling Federation.

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