The Co-ordinator, South-South Zone One of the National
Sports Commission (NSC), Yemi Usikaye, has said that there is a need for
corporate sponsorship to complement government’s efforts in developing the
country’s sports.

Usikaye gave the advice while speaking at the weekend in
Akure, the headquarters of the zone.

He said it was until the private sector started partnering
with government that Nigeria would be able to record better performances at
international competitions.

The Co-ordinator, who is also Chairman, Ondo State Table
Tennis Association, observed that it was necessary that multinationals must
sponsor some sports.

“Vodacom, a telecommunications giant in South Africa and
Australia, sponsors rugby and swimming respectively in those countries,’’ he
pointed out.

Usikaye said the Vodacom sponsorship included sponsoring the
South African national rugby team and the Australian national swimming team to
international tournaments.

He pointed out that none of the countries which won medals
at the just-ended London 2012 Olympics was wholly sponsored by their government
without the support of corporate bodies.

“Government and corporate sponsorship should complement each
other to achieve the desired goals.

“We need corporate sponsorships to even enrich the knowledge
of our coaches by sending them on courses and organising officiating courses
for referees.

“Corporate bodies can also assist in providing more sporting
facilities in the country,” the former Nigeria Wrestling Federation
Secretary-General said.

Usikaye noted that Nigeria is a nation with abundant talents
at the grassroots who are waiting for discovery. “But the problem we have is lack
of funding.

“Sport, today is a long-time investment for results to be
achieved. It is not about releasing money few weeks to a competition and
expecting to get results.

“Nigeria has the greater advantage of winning medals in
areas like athletics, boxing, table tennis, weightlifting and even handball.
All we need is good sponsorship and a timely release of funds,” he said.

Usikaye said Nigeria needed to start preparation immediately
for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.