However, most of the African countries see the Olympic as a great privilege to be featured in the game, and compete on the international level. I remember, while growing up in Africa (Nigeria) one of the name one often hear is the name of one of the Nigeria Sprinter, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, who was the first Nigerian to compete at five Olympics (1988-2004) women's Athletics. And also, I remember when Nigeria won Olympic football gold medal in 1996 against Argentina, it was a big celebration and jubilation for us in Nigeria back then.
But sadly enough, time has changed, Nigeria sport team have lost their glory days due to the fact that there are no motivation, or any effective sport schools or sport training centers with standard sport equipments that can enhance the sport teams to train well. Although, there are still few sport training centers and sport academies; like the IFA (Intergrity Football Academy) among few others, and there are also few Sports NGOs who help the less-privilege or poor kids who has talents for sport. One of this NGOs that readily comes to mind is FREDRICK AGBAJE FOUNDATION. However, Nigeria government does not give more support or motivation to the sport teams or sport activity. For instance, the Nigeria football team almost miss the Olympic game in Rio because they do not have enough money to buy their ticket to Brazil, just to manage to get there 6 hours before their first match. This same team that lacks motivation, having qualified for the Semi-final of the Olympic games Men's Football lost the games by 0-2 to Germany.
I remember when the Olympic games started few weeks ago, both Nigeria and Germany did not have any medal, but good for Germany; the German sport team at the Olympic game pick up so fast, and has earned Germany more medals, making Germany to be in very good position on the medals table. But on the other hand, Nigeria remain on the same level, no gold nor silver... Nigeria can celebrate a bronze medal at the end of olympics game 2016. Back then Nigeria made Olympic Football history as the first Africa to win the gold medal. Although, that time the Nigeria Football team coach was a Dutchman (Johannes Bonferere) from Holland. To many observers, that was the greatest olympic match ever played by Nigeria Football team. (Atlanta 1996, Nigeria vs Argentina).
In Europe or America, there is organization, structure and motivation to sport, but in Africa (Nigeria) there is no organization/structure or motivation, all down to the talent of the athletes. So why is Nigeria so poor in sport? One reason is undoubtedly or unquestionable is corruption, and sport has never been a priority for the government, the Nigeria government has no interest in sport. Rather they are there to embezzele the oil money, that is supposed to be used for the development of the country's infrastructure. Such as; good roads, public sports trainning centers or schools etc.
The general poor performance of athletes is not untraceable to the poor economy hardship in the nation and poor infrastructural development, in which sports facility is one. Nigeria is down at a moment, not just in the Rio Olympics or in sporting achievement, but in all facets of her destiny as a nation. There is a need for sport and recreation facilities in Africa (Nigeria), I think this will help to prepare the sport teams for international games or sport such as the Olympic games. I believe recreation infrastructure is necessary, new facilities will allow us to train more athletes, like as it is here Germany or Europe for example my thoughts!
Queendaline Schneider.
