Sports
Sports Minister Incurs Nigerians Ire With Explanations On Poor Showing At Paris2024
Efforts to explain Nigeria’s poor showing at the Paris 2024 Olympics by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh appear to have backfired.
Biztellers reports that Sen Enoh took to his socials on Sunday, with explanations, in the bid to soothe the nerves of disappointed sports fans by tendering apologies, asserting that Nigeria deserved more, as a country, particularly given the history of her performance at previous Olympic games.
“Athletes competition requirements were provided, allowances were paid early, and training grants were disbursed to all athletes. I made myself readily available to deal with any issue throughout the competition. Therefore, the underwhelming performance of our team is puzzling. We owe Nigerians an explanation,” he stated.
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However, Nigerians would have none of that, as one X user, Adekunle Gbadamosi lambasted Sen Enoh that the results merely reflected the level of preparations that the sporting authorities put in towards the games.
According to Gbdamosi, “He who failed to plan properly, has planned to fail properly. Super Eagles is still not having a coach by now and they have qualifying matches next month.”
Sen Enoh wrote, “The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, has ended, and I accept that our performance should have been a lot better. It obviously fell short of our objectives, expectations, and hopes of Nigerians. I must apologize to our compatriots and reflect on what went wrong while looking forward to the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 (August 28- September 8th).
“When I assumed office as the Minister of Sports Development in August 2023, I was confronted with the task of executing four international competitions namely the AFCON, the African Games, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a matter of a few months. I was also reminded that the Olympic Games is the world’s supreme sports competition, and countries require at least four years to prepare for it. I held extensive discussions with the management staff of the Ministry and got to know that preparations for the Olympics, which was less than a year away, had not started.
“In the true Nigerian spirit, it was our view that we should spare no effort to sustain the international sports image of our country. Our target was to re-enact the Atlanta 1996 performance or even improve on it. To this end, we embarked on a progressive approach to drive forward the performance of our athletes and coaches. In my first week in office, I requested all National Sports Federations to furnish me with plans and programmes. I also embarked on a nationwide inspection of our sports facilities.
“Subsequently, I constituted a Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee comprising seasoned sports performance professionals to drive our preparations.
“At this time, we had hardly qualified for the Olympics in any sport. We focused on both the AFCON and the African Games (both of which were happening in quick succession) while our athletes also participated in Olympic and Paralympic qualification tournaments. This had the disadvantage of compelling the athletes to attain peak performances several times within a short space of time. I was also enlightened that athletes of many countries had qualified almost one year ago and had already structured their training programmes for the Olympics. We were not deterred.
“I convened a series of meetings involving the Presidents of the National Sports Federations, their Technical Directors, and Secretaries General. These meetings examined the preparations for the competitions. The Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee was in attendance to discuss and streamline methodologies and training methods in the best possible way, considering the time constraints.
“After the African Games, subsequent meetings were limited to the Federations that had bright chances of qualifying for the Olympics. Medals projections were made by all the Federations, although their athletes were still trying to qualify; which lasted until about June 2024. The concerned Federations obviously prioritized qualification over preparations for the Games. This seems to have always been the case.This has to change.
“At the end of the qualification period, the selection of athletes and coaches was the absolute responsibility of each Federation. A few attempts to question selection after i got complaints were strongly resisted and defended.
“To achieve our targets, we approved onshore training in different locations in the country in addition to the offshore training camps for our teams in Saarbrucken, Germany, and Sevilla, Spain. Ten out of the eleven sports trained in Germany. The choice of the training facilities in Germany was based on the very positive recommendations of the Ministry team and included the President of one of our Federations who as a former world champion and Olympic gold medal winner, is quite familiar with Olympic-standard facilities and equipment. At the training camp, the Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee offered scientific preparation and mental strength training support.
‘The very high quality of their participation was confirmed by independent sources comprising athletes, coaches, and team administrators.
“In all these, the President and Commander in Chief of the Federation, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ensured that funds were not a limiting factor. Athletes competition requirements were provided, allowances were paid early, and training grants were disbursed to all athletes. I made myself readily available to deal with any issue throughout the competition. Therefore, the underwhelming performance of our team is puzzling. We owe Nigerians an explanation.
“As a responsible organisation, we have swung into a review process. We shall evaluate the competition readiness of every athlete comprehensively, including their injury and medical history within the limits of patient confidentiality. The role of coaches and administrative staff will also be examined.
“There must be a lot of lessons to learn from our performance and improvements must be made in all ramifications. The last time we returned from the Olympics without a medal was in 2012. The next two Olympics after that we’ve had a bronze medal in 2016 and a silver and bronze in the 2020 Olympics. As a country, we deserve more. Let’s turn the disastrous outcome of the 2024 Olympics to a huge positive for Nigerian sports.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.
The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.
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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”
He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.
“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.
He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”
The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.
The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.
The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.
The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.
The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.
The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.
After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.
The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.
He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.
In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”
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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.
The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.
Musa Francis James and Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo emerged as the men’s and women’s winners respectively at the fifth edition of the Abeokuta 10km Race in Ogun State on Saturday.
Francis James led the men’s field from the finish, completing the 10km race in 30:25.33 to claim the $1,000 first prize.
Ilya Raymond finished second in 30:38.06 to collect $750, while Gyang Sunday completed the men’s podium in 30:47.00 and received $500.
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The women’s race followed a similar pattern, with Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo taking the top position after finishing in 35:00.69 to win $1,000.
Bulus Mary Jah came second in 35:58.71 and received $750, while Nwantiyi Teyei Davou finished third in 36:03.09 to take home $500.
The results reflected the competitive nature of the race, which brought together athletes, fitness enthusiasts and members of the public for the fifth staging of the event in Abeokuta.
For the winners, the achievement was also a reward for their preparation and an opportunity to compete on a platform that continues to attract athletes to the city.
Francis James said he was pleased to see his preparation pay off after crossing the finish line first, while also acknowledging the platform provided by the organisers.
“I’m very happy with the victory,” James said.
“It feels good to see all the hard work and preparation pay off. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and I want to appreciate the organisers for putting together such a good race and giving athletes like us the platform to compete and challenge ourselves.”
Raymond, who finished second, said he was pleased with his performance and excited to have secured a place among the leading athletes.
“I’m glad and excited to have been a winner. It feels really good to see all the effort and preparation pay off.”
”I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and I want to appreciate the organisers for putting together a race that gives athletes like us the platform to compete and challenge ourselves,” he said.
Gyang, who completed the men’s podium, said he was delighted to finish among the top three and expressed hope that the initiative would continue to grow.
“I’m just happy to be one of the people to grace the podium. It is a good feeling to finish among the top athletes, especially in a race like this. I appreciate the organisers for giving us the opportunity to compete, and I hope this initiative continues to grow and attract even more athletes in the years ahead,” he said.
In the women’s category, Akanbi said the victory was particularly satisfying after the work that went into her preparation.
She also praised the organisers for creating an opportunity for athletes to compete.
“I am very happy to have won the women’s race. It was not easy, but I am glad that all the hard work paid off. I commend the organisers for creating this opportunity and for the effort they put into making the race a success. I hope the Abeokuta 10km Race continues to grow and gives more athletes the chance to compete at this level,” she said.
The race was organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited and attracted sports enthusiasts, dignitaries and residents from different parts of Abeokuta.
Managing director Yetunde Olopade said the organisers were pleased with the outcome and praised the athletes and participants for their commitment throughout the event.
She also thanked the Ogun State Government, sponsors and partners, including Phlo, Bet9ja Foundation, 7UP and Aquafina, for supporting the race.
“We are delighted with the outcome of this year’s Abeokuta 10km Race. The quality, organisation and enthusiasm shown by the participants have once again demonstrated what can be achieved when everyone comes together.
“We appreciate the Ogun State Government, our sponsors, partners and everyone who contributed to making this race a colourful and successful event. Nilayo Sports Management Limited will continue to uphold the class and quality that the company is known for,” Olopade said.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, also used the event to highlight the wider opportunities being created for athletes as sporting events continue to grow across Nigeria.
He particularly pointed to the equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners, saying such measures could help promote equality in sport.
“I have always been a fan of equality. When you look at what Nilayo has done here, giving the same prize money to the men and women, it is something we should encourage,” he said.
“The Nigerian sporting ecosystem is getting bigger, and with events like this, we are creating more avenues for our sportsmen and women to thrive, compete and earn a living from sport.”
Also speaking after the race, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, praised Nilayo Sports Management Limited for staging another road race and commended Abeokuta residents for their support.
Dare said the event demonstrated the potential for Nigeria to host high-quality sporting competitions while encouraging participation in sports and healthy living.
“Nilayo has once again demonstrated that we can organise world-class sporting events in Nigeria. This is a top-class event, and the turnout of the people of Abeokuta shows the passion Nigerians have for sports and healthy living,” he said.
The race also provided an opportunity for residents to participate in fitness activities while highlighting Abeokuta’s potential as a destination for road racing and other sporting events.
Among the dignitaries present were the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka; the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Tunde Delu; former Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye; and former members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Femi Allen Taylor and Idowu Olowofuja.
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