RIO 2016: Jonathan Sets 36 Medals Target For Nigeria …Target Not Feasible –Analyst

Man Utd’s two goal hero, Javier Hernanadez scoring one of his side’s comeback goals at Old Trafford, last night

President Goodluck Jonathan has set a target of at least 36 medals for Nigerian athletes at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, saying at least five of the medals should be gold.Jonathan spoke at a presidential sports sector retreat with the theme “Harnessing the Potential of Nigeria’s Sports Sector: From Playground to Podium” held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

To achieve the feat, the President said governors of each of the 36 states would concentrate on the sports where they had edge over others and deliver medals in such sports.

He said, “Every state has some level of comparative advantage in one form of sports or the order and if each state promises to give Nigerians a medal in this area, and another medal in this area, that means we are expecting 36 medals.”

(Governor Rotimi) Amaechi will tell us that Rivers State will give us a medal in this area, Lyyel Imoke will tell us that Cross River will give us a medal in this area and Kogi will also say the same and all the 36 governors.”Out of these 36 medals, at least five will be gold. I also believe that the private sector will play a key role.

 We know that in some countries, the private sector plays some key roles in sporting activities and not just trading or manufacturing sporting wares.

”Jonathan said his administration was committed to ensuring that Nigeria became the best sporting nation in Africa and among the top four sporting nations in the Commonwealth, and ultimately rule the world.”.

Meanwhile, a renowned sports analyst, Ayo Ositelu, has described the President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for 36 medals from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games as not feasible.

Ositelu said this in an interview with newsmen yesterday  in Lagos.

He said he was yet to see any evidence of change or improvement since the country’s woeful performance at the 2012 London Olympics Games.

“I tell you this coming from the president; I cannot say the president is dreaming, as a patriotic Nigerian.

“But it is totally impossible, because of the manner in which we organise sports in this country, there is nothing like sports development, I don’t see any evidence of sports development.

“Either at the federal or state level, tournaments and competition are a different ball game from development of sports, you develop children from ages 5 and above,’’ he said.

He stressed for more genuine grassroots developmental programmes; he opposed the emphasis on exposure, which he said would be in vain if genuine talents were not developed.

“Most times you hear federations talk about exposure, for who if I may ask where are the talents; you have to develop talents to expose them.