Sports: Analysts Blame Maladministration For Nigeria’s Poor Performances

Sports analysts and enthu
siasts have attributed the abysmal performance of Nigeria in sports activities, especially in football, to maladministration.
The Assistant-General Manager of Osun Sports Council, Mr Diran Adio, told newsmen that sport administration has been “hugely politicised’’ resulting in lack of commitment on the part of athletes and players.
According to him, the process of selection of players that will represent the country in any tournament should be merit-driven.
He solicited holistic reforms in the sector to make it viable and result-oriented.
In the same vein, a senior lecturer in the Department of Pysical Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr Owolabi Lasigun, said that there was need to take sentiment and political interest from sports administration to enhance performance.
He explained that ethnicity and political affiliation were responsible for poor performance of the country in major tournaments.
However, a coach in Osogbo, Mr Mojeed Afolabi, suggested the resuscitation of grassroots sports to make talent discovery at the grassroots effective.
According to him, the ineffective sports clubs in schools and inter-schools sport activities, have denied Nigeria of talented sports men and women.