Eko 2012: Ex-Athlete Decries Low Turnout

A former national athlete, Modupe Oshikoya, has decried the low turnout of
spectators at the just-concluded 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos,
saying that it was much better during her active days.

Oshikoya
told newsmen in Lagos that the shine had been taken off the NSF, which she
said, used to be the flagship of competitions in the country.

“Lots
of things have changed. People no longer go to sporting events the way they
used to do in our days.

“The
turnout then was massive and lots of people were thrilled with what they saw
and the large turnout always gave us a boost.

“Even
when we were just warming up before hitting the tracks, the stadium was filled
to the brim with spectators cheering. That was the spirit of the festival,” she
said.

Oshikoya,
who won the long jump event at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New
Zealand, said that most of the country’s former athletes based abroad were
disposed to returning home.

“We
all look forward to returning home to lend our quota to the country’s sports
development programmes but we have to be formally invited.

“If the government is willing to provide attractive
and sustainable incentives, then our people will be willing to come down,’’ she
said.