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Dec.26.08 , In
Nigerian Football, The Champion , by
Toyin
Over the past few months, we ‘ve tasted defeat in virtually all cadres of football whether in Africa or the world at large. From the Super Falcons to Flying Eagles to Falconets, it has been one story of woe or the other.
The significance of our downward trend was so lucidly highlighted when our Under 23 (curiously addressed as ‘home based eagle) side failed to qualify for an African championship as they were beaten by Ghana. The funniest picture from that match was the clueless attitude of the Coach, Okey Emodi.
Some of my friends told me that the fault was not his but that of the Football Federation. They claimed that the interference of the FA by seconding Chief Onigbinde (again?) to the team in order to ensure qualification actually resulted in the defeat!
Our Flying Eagles lost out to Senegal in the semi-finals of the WAFU Cup (now James Ibori tournament) right here in Nigeria. It was not as if that loss was revolutionary but the manner of it left a sore taste in the mouths of many. The truth; the team was very poor and almost unrecognizable from past teams that represented us in that cadre.
And this happened despite the fact that Ladan Boso (the guy that took us to Canada) was the man in charge. One would have thought that a bit of the experience garnered there would have come in handy but it wasn’t to be.
For the first time too (incredibly so), Super Falcons failed to win the CAF AWC! This seemed to signify the beginning of the rot chronicled above and we are deeply in it.
Lest I forget; we also came back from the Olympics with a very disgraceful bouquet of medals, haba! Our fastest guys didn’t even qualify for the semis. This reality was a big disgrace as Nigeria (most times than not) had been represented in the finals of the 100 Meters and 200 Meters. If we fail to win anything there, we always get something through the relays especially the 4 X 400 Meters.
As it is now, no more Mary Onyalis, Falilat Ogunkoyas and Chidi Imohs. All we have now are a bunch of average performers or still better called ‘Local Champions’.
What is the problem? And before someone takes the word out of mouth, the newly installed Sports Minister, John Ndanusa will not be able to solve it even if he is determined to do so!
So I ask again, what is the problem?
Apart from the regulars ‘suspects’ as the bane of our sports development-Corruption, poor administration and tribalism; most significantly, the systemic neglect of school sports in the curricular of our educational system is now the major problem that has become hydra and no one, and I mean no one except the President of this nation can address!
In the past, the Principals’ Cup was a veritable platform to discover new talents and to harness such. Stephen Keshi, arguably the most successful national team Captain was discovered through this tournament playing for Igbobi College. Our University games were so well organized that good athletes were thrown up on regular basis. Even the National Sports Festival was devoid of the current but misguided political undertones.
If we do not return to our past to find out what made us tick, our future may not be anything to write home about. The future that we desire for this great country can be given a fresh breath if we dig deep and decide to do the right thing.
The President must show the way in this regard. We must reintroduce sports based scholarships for talented and deserving individual. It is time that we close our eyes to things that have brought us down to this reality of failure and openly embrace those ideals that would drive the fulfillment of our visions.
It is never too late for the Government of the day to declare a State of Emergency in our sports and back such declarations with positive actions to achieve desired goals. This of course is not limited to football alone but should be seen as a national movement towards regaining lost glory in sport. And, only when, this is achieved; that we can look forward to dominating once again in Africa and beyond.
The current realities on the ground that are painfully represented by unemployment, insecurity, social and moral decay, corruption et all can be significantly reduced if we pay attention to sports development. Our future lies ahead of us waiting to be shaped; it is not time to bury our heads in the sand looking for what is not lost!
If a man doesn’t know where he is going, he should at least remember where he is coming from; the recovery that we seek can be further enhanced when our youths become empowered through sports. It is a very serious business and we must see it so!
4 Responses
Well this is an interesting article but unfortunately, I also believe that the basis of all this is that we have a society where merit is not respected. We also need the best people for the job. Sports is important to national development and our country’s image.
I just hope that the right people are listening and maybe the new sports minister will take to heart some of your very candid and truthful analysis.
I have always maintained the stand that until we do away with corruption in this country, we may never meet up with comity of nations. This is even more so in sport where simple matter of merit is compromised based on politics and tribalism. When the chips are down, only the qualified survives and that is the reason why we are witnessing the kind of chaotic arrangements and outcomes in our sporting life. It is time to grow up!
This article made me remember “Pastor” Taribo West who said after the 2002 World Cup that “when you bring junks to play with professionals, you get the result of a monkey”…lol.
We keep putting square pegs in round holes as a result of corruption which is deeply rooted in all sectors of the economy, the result is what we are witnessing now.
The most painful thing is that whatever we write or say here is not of any importance to our administrators (not restricted to sports) as they all have a different agenda based on corruption, ethnicity and tribalism.
I however pray that one day things will change from this “status quo”.
As for the new sports minister, Ndanusa, I say hmmmmmmmm!
I would really want to say keep up the good work. We are always quick to point accusing fingers to the goverment. I want to look forward to a Nigeria where everyone would be concerned about what they can do for the nation amd not the nation for them.
We have Individuals in Nigerian that can take sports to higher hieghts but have failed to so yet they sit back and conderm players/athletes/administrators.
A lot of players/athletes that excelled in one sport/game or the other are those who started eaely in life let Nigerian set up academies to help this young talents that we can pround of in the future.