Nigeria's Sports Minister, John Owan Enoh, blames the country's failure to win medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics on insufficient preparation time. Despite efforts to expedite training, the late start left athletes at a disadvantage. Social media reactions highlight widespread frustration and calls for better sports management in Nigeria.
Nigeria's Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has publicly acknowledged the nation's disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, attributing the lack of medals to insufficient preparation time. Enoh, who assumed office in August 2023, stated that preparations for the Olympics had not started when he took over, leaving less than a year to ready the athletes.
Despite efforts to fast-track preparations, including setting up offshore training camps in Germany and Spain, the athletes faced challenges, particularly with balancing Olympic qualifications and other international competitions like the African Games. Enoh admitted that many nations had begun their Olympic preparations years in advance, putting Nigeria at a significant disadvantage. He also emphasized that the responsibility for athlete and coach selection rested with the National Sports Federations, with some resisting oversight.
The Sports Minister's statement has sparked widespread reactions on social media. Many Nigerians expressed frustration, questioning why the Olympics, a global event held every four years, seemed to have caught the country off-guard. Comments ranged from sarcasm about needing more than four years to prepare to criticisms of the government's priorities and calls for Enoh's resignation.
Some users highlighted the long-standing issues in Nigeria's sports development, suggesting that early and serious preparation, starting from primary and secondary school sports, is essential for future success. The general sentiment is one of disappointment and a call for accountability in managing Nigeria's sports programs.
