Every year, the giant of Africa Nigeria, marks October 1 as her independence, while they celebrate many sit back to reflect on the achievement thus far. Looking back, after 64 years of independence very little can be talked about in positive light. While we can beat our chest and say Nigeria is one of the top in terms of entertainment, can we say the same for other sectors of the country?
Talking about these sectors, the likes of Rema, Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid to mention but a few. These individuals have put the country’s name on the global map of entertainment but what about the Economic sector, Agricultural sector, the Security sector? This article is aimed at looking at the achievements made by Nigeria as a country in the Sports sector.
Sports is an embodiment of different games, which comprises field events and track events. While many are more concerned about the field events which includes: football, basketball and all the games played in the field or court very few people pay attention to the track events which are racing and other games done on the track. We start from the game which is regarded as the king of other games, football.
Football
Football is one sport that many years before now, Nigeria was feared in the global space because of how good they were but this has taken a U-turn and now, our name can not strike the fear it used to strike like before. The last time Nigeria as a country saw gold in any football competition was in 2013 when the late Sir, Stephen Keshi was the head coach of the Super Eagles and we won the African Cup of Nations.
After that, our best chance came just a few months ago in the 2024 Afcon where we played the host of the competition and lost 2-1. Individually, the players have been fantastic but collectively we have not achieved much.
Golden Eaglets
The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria is one name the whole world used to shake at the mention of it. They were so good that when they went for youth tournaments like the World Under 17 tournaments, the countries drawn in the same group with them play to qualify with them, because it was not a question of if we can make it to the finals but who are we playing in the finals.
The likes of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Kenneth Omerou, Taiwo Awoniyi to mention a few that are doing very well now in their respective clubs are all products from Golden Eaglets. But it may interest you to know that the last set that made a mark in the world is the set that is conquering Europe right now.
The Golden Eaglets which is the youngest football team to represent Nigeria lifted their last trophy in 2015 and that’s about nine years ago. After the 2015 tournament, the squad has not won any trophies since then and it has gone so bad that they hardly even qualify for the tournament. What Happened?
Many people have said the reason why they have been a huge failure on the part of Golden Eaglets making it to tournaments which could be said it was like their birthright as they are the country with the highest trophies (5) can be traced back to corruption.
Many have accused the top officials of collecting money to select players who are not qualified to be in the team thereby producing poor results. Also, it is alleged that many of the good players in the squad never get to play because some big men in the country pay for their own boys to be played even when they are not qualified to play. This has cost the country a big harm as we can’t even remember the last time we made it to the tournament
Basket Ball: D’Tigeress of Nigeria
Basketball The Nigerian female basketball team known as D’Tigeress did excellently well in the just concluded Olympics held in Paris. D’Tigeress won their first Olympic game after 20 years, the last time they won an Olympic game was in 2004.
They beat Australia 75-62 in their group play opening game before beating Canada 79-70, they lost to France but advanced to the quarterfinals, which was their very first quarterfinals. They lost to the USA but their achievements went on record as it was their very first quarterfinals appearance.
TRACK EVENTS
Nigeria was not just feared in football and basketball as we had great athletes representing us who did well. In the last Olympics, it was reported that our athletes were not regulated by our government representatives who were supposed to cater for them neglected them and this can be traced back to corruption.
Nigeria has failed not just in the field events but also in the track events. We can boldly say, in terms of sports we have not made a major breakthrough. The country can be said to be living in the shadows of her past for all we have to celebrate now is past glories.
Which Way Now, Nigeria?
Now, enough of all the bad we have seen for if after all this epistle am not able to give at least one way to get us out where we have found ourselves then, I have just wasted our time. For one to get back on track the first thing to do is to re-trace his or her way back to where they started since it has not always been like that.
I will say as much as we have a part to play the government have a bigger role to play. They should only appoint people who are capable of executing tasks and eliminate the man know man way of behaviour. It is evident that it is what has led us away from from the glory days.
Happy Independence Nigeria
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