As part of our activities to mark 2025 International World Sports Day, we write to express delight and satisfaction in the deeds of President Bola Tinubu for signing the Anti-Doping Bill into law.
This signing which came just a few days before 6th of April totally aligns with our motive of celebrating world sports day by having a vigorous Anti-Doping Campaign and promotion of Clean Sports.
We acknowledge that the federal government is indeed lover of youths and promoter of sports, as this Bill was intended to immediately rescue Nigeria, and solve issues with WADA in 2024, which threatened our participation at the Paris Olympics.
It is indeed very satisfying that this concern has been addressed by the government, cementing routine compliance within Nigeria sports with the creation of the National Anti-Doping Organisation in view; this truly assures renewed hope for sports in Nigeria.
We also want to affirm that alot more needs to be done to elevate Nigerian sports in order to compete remarkably at the highest level. Sports in Nigeria has sufferered from inadequate funding and gross mismanagement.
Suffice to point out the recent increase in budgetary allocation for sports by President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. Below are some of the key areas that needs to be urgently addressed.
Lack of Infrastructure: A deliberate push to correct the infrastructural deficit for all key sports in Nigeria. The available ones are below quality standard and not well maintained.
Lack of adequate welfare for Professionals: Welfare is paramount in having highly motivated professionals and to sustain sports interest in the younger generation talents. Without proper welfarism for athletes, the country will continue to experience shortage of talents across board.
Lack of Professionalism and Organisation: There is a need to engage more core professionals and, to always stick to professionalism and practice of integrity to safeguard the future of sports and athletes in the country.
Absence of these has rubbed off negatively on Nigeria sports and killed the spark in our sports men and women.
Benchmark, Policy evaluation and Accountability: for Nigeria to achieve the above mentioned, there has to be a set benchmark for standards which must not be compromised.
Also, there should be periodic evaluation of policy to determine if the target was achieved or not. We also advocate for maximum accountability and integrity within the sports sector.
The dwindling fortunes of Nigeria at the Olympics and other international sporting events is a pointer to these.