‘Why Nigeria Missed Youth Games’

Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), says the country’s absence at the Youth Games in the Isle of Man is because of a clash in date with the ongoing All Africa Games in Maputo.

The NOC President, Sani Ndanusa, told newsmen in Maputo that it was impossible to attend the two events.

“Many African member countries of the Commonwealth are also not attending the Youth Games because of the clash in date of the two events.’’

Ndanusa said that the Africa Games was not accorded the right recognition at the international sports scene.

“It is redundant and isolated from the international sports scene and does not serve as a qualifier for any major competition,’’ Ndanusa said.

The NOC president, however, said that the country could not on its own pull out of the games.

“We are not contemplating doing that because of our leading role on the continent.’’

He said that the Africa Games lacked quality and content and had been compromised because host countries were allowed to dictate what events to host.

Ndanusa said Nigeria’s chances were still bright and that it would be among the top five countries in the competition.

He said since events in track and fields in which Nigeria had advantage had yet to begin, the country still had good chances of finishing well at the end of the competition.

“For now our position on the medals table looks poor but by the time the athletics events would have started our position will improve.

“I have confidence in the athletics team.’’

The NOC chief decried the standard of the competition, saying the performance so far had not met international standards.

“The standard should be better than what we have today,” he said.