Revival Of School Sports, Panacea For Sports Woes – Commissioner

The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary
Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, has blamed Nigeria’s poor performance at
the London 2012 Olympics to the abandonment of schools sports.

Muoboghare told newsmen in Asaba at the weekend that unless
Nigeria anchors its sports development at the grassroots, achieving results at
international competitions would remain a mirage.

According to him, standards in sports performance will
continue to dwindle if urgent steps are not taken to revive schools sports in
the country.

The commissioner, who supported President Goodluck
Jonathan’s directive for restructuring of the nation’s sports, noted that a
complete overhaul was the panacea for reviving the sector.

He added that Nigeria also failed in sports because there
was no long term developmental plan.

“You cannot continue to apply ad hoc style to prepare for
big competitions and expect to achieve success, unfortunately that is what we
do in this country.

“Countries, even with already established athletes and
adequate facilities, still embark on long term process to prepare for Olympics
and other international competitions,” he said.

Muoboghare said that the state had gone back to the
grassroots to reposition its sports, adding that the state had also concluded a
comprehensive programme for swimming.

“Our plan is to bring all our talented swimmers at the
grassroots to Asaba every weekend for grooming and take them back to their
respective schools during the week days.”

He said that the state had different approaches and strategies for other sports, adding that the Governor’s Cup football competition for secondary schools in the state would commence in October.