So far, the IAAF World Championships in Beijing have told a sad tale for Nigerian athletics. For many years, the theme has been recurring: talented athletes, poor preparation followed by a disastrous showing. Without a medal or a place on the podium, Nigeria’s time at the world championships has been an utter waste and unless something critically changes, it could be a situation that continues to repeat itself.
It is not an ‘African thing’
One look at the medals table shows that Kenyan athletics are booming as the famed East Africans have picked up as many six gold medals in events such as Javelin, 800 metres and 10,000 metres. Sitting pretty on top of the medals table- ahead of perennial superpowers, the United States of America, there can be no questions on Kenya’s success at the championships. And it is not just Kenya. Ethiopia also feature in the top ten with three medals – one gold and two silver – while South Africa, Eritrea, Egypt, Tunisia and Uganda all feature on the medals table.
Blessing in disguise…
Nigeria’s big hope for medals at the championship was without doubt, Blessing Okagbare. After winning two medals in the 2013 event with a silver in long jump and a bronze in the 200 metres, many hoped that Okagbare will continue her steady progression since bursting onto the scene in 2008, incidentally also in Beijing, as a 19 year old full of promise. Okagbare followed her 2013 showing at the world championships with a defining performance at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 where she not only became the fourth woman in over 85 years of the event to win both the 100 and 200 metres but also broke the existing 12 year old record for the 100 metres event. Understandably, following her steady improvement, Nigerians were to looking to her for glory at the championships in Beijing but a bad start in the 100 metres final and a hamstring ruling her out of the 200 metres event has left nothing but dashed hopes. Despite the disappointment, Okagbare’s ability is not in doubt. She remains one of Nigeria’s greatest athletes and is steadily winning global appeal with increasing commercial strength. She will bounce back from this, but how about Nigerian Athletics?
New sheriff in town
At the apex of its government, Nigeria has a new leader who, many feel, is anathema to the perennial issues of sports administration in Nigeria: financial misappropriation and an utter lack of efficiency or proficiency. President Buhari is set to announce his cabinet next month after patiently screening candidates for the last three months. Among those to be announced will be a Minister for Sport and if President Buhari has shown anything so far with his previous appointments, it is that emphasis will be placed on merit and ability. Soon after his electoral victory, there were projections on the possible effects of a Buhari presidency on Nigeria’s sports sector and should they come to be, it is safe to say that Nigeria’s sports as a whole could be set for a new dawn.
It could be a long process but after years of bizarre mismanagement, many will agree that it is long overdue.
