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Olympics: Like Crude Oil, Nigerian Sports Is Raw Material For US, Europe, Other Countries 

Nigeria has a higher population than the combined total of Qatar, Slovakia, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Cape Verde, Albania, Mongolia, Panama, Tajikistan, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Dominica, Chile, Botswana, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Cuba. Yet, these countries won medals in Paris, with some like Cape Verde having less than a population of 500 thousand people compared to Nigeria’s 233 million.
August 12, 2024
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Olympics: Like Crude Oil, Nigerian Sports Is Raw Material For US, Europe, Other Countries 
The Paris Olympics have been concluded, and Nigeria’s performance once again sparked discussions about the nation’s sporting potential and preparation. With a contingent of 88 athletes competing in 12 events, Nigeria left the Games without securing any medals. This is why Paris 2024 is seen as the worst outing judging by the number of games and athletes.
At the last Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Nigeria went with 55 athletes for 10 sports. At its best outing in 1996, when it had two gold medals, one silver and three bronze, Nigeria had 65 athletes in nine sports events.
The outcome in Paris stands in stark contrast to the impressive tally of the United States, which topped the medal chart with 126 medals—40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. The U.S. equaled China’s 40 gold medals on the last day, but did far better in silver and bronze medals, where China garnered 27 and 24 respectively to haul in 91 medals in total.

Nigeria Managed to get 30 medals in  five past Olympics – 2008 to 2024

The lack of medals for Nigeria is not an anomaly but rather a continuation of a troubling trend. Historically, Nigeria has struggled to surpass a total of 30 medals in the five past Olympics -2008 to 2024. For context, the combined medal counts of the U.S. and China exceed the total medals amassed by the entire African continent over the last five Olympics.
Nigeria’s underwhelming performance raises several questions, especially considering the achievements of smaller nations. Nigeria has a higher population than the combined total of Qatar, Slovakia, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Cape Verde, Albania, Mongolia, Panama, Tajikistan, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Dominica, Chile, Botswana, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines and Cuba. Yet, these countries won medals in Paris, with some like Cape Verde having less than a population of 500 thousand people compared to Nigeria’s 233 million. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that at least 10 athletes originally from Nigeria won eight medals for the US, Germany, Spain, and Bahrain, highlighting a potential issue with Nigeria’s own talent development and retention strategies. Four of the medals were gold.
In basketball, Nigeria’s team had a commendable run, reaching an Africa record of quarterfinals before being defeated by the U.S., which eventually claimed gold. However, an unsettling fact remains: a far majority of the Nigerian basketball players are based outside Africa, let alone Nigeria. This international presence may have contributed to their strong performance, contrasting sharply with the situation of other Nigerian athletes.
Several issues have emerged as points of concern for Nigerian sports. The case of sprinter Favour Ofili, who missed the 100-meter sprint due to registration issues, and a cyclist, Ese
Ukpeseraye, who had to rely on a German team for a bicycle, reflect deeper systemic problems. Additionally, the lack of impressive fan support in some events like football and handball, underscores the disconnect between the Nigerian Olympic organizers and the public.

Areas of Improvement for Good Results

As Nigeria reflects on its performance in Paris, it is clear that there are significant areas needing improvement. The country must address its approach to talent identification, grassroots training, and support for athletes. The experience in Paris highlights the urgent need for a strategic overhaul to ensure that Nigerian athletes are adequately prepared and supported for future international competitions.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s Olympic performance in Paris serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. As the nation continues to strive for excellence in sports, the lessons from this disappointing chapter should catalyze reforms and reinvigorate efforts to enhance Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.

 

Dr Mbamalu is a Jefferson Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and a renowned Publisher.

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Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a distinguished communication scholar, journalist, and entrepreneur with three decades of experience in the media industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and serves as the publisher of Prime Business Africa, a renowned multimedia news platform catering to Nigeria and Africa's socio-economic needs.

Dr. Mbamalu's journalism career spans over two decades, during which he honed his skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of senior editor. Notably, between 2018 and 2023, he collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Northeast Nigeria, training senior journalists on conflict reporting and health journalism.

Dr. Mbamalu's expertise has earned him international recognition. He was the sole African representative at the 2023 Jefferson Fellowship program, participating in a study tour of the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) on inclusion, income gaps, and migration issues.
In 2020, he was part of a global media team that covered the United States presidential election.

Dr. Mbamalu has attended prestigious media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and the Reuters/AfDB Training on "Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development in Africa."

As a columnist for The Punch Newspaper, with insightful articles published in other prominent Nigerian dailies, including ThisDay, Leadership, The Sun, and The Guardian, Dr. Mbamalu regularly provides in-depth analysis on socio-political and economic issues.

MARCEL MBAMALU

Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a distinguished communication scholar, journalist, and entrepreneur with three decades of experience in the media industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and serves as the publisher of Prime Business Africa, a renowned multimedia news platform catering to Nigeria and Africa's socio-economic needs.

Dr. Mbamalu's journalism career spans over two decades, during which he honed his skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of senior editor. Notably, between 2018 and 2023, he collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Northeast Nigeria, training senior journalists on conflict reporting and health journalism.

Dr. Mbamalu's expertise has earned him international recognition. He was the sole African representative at the 2023 Jefferson Fellowship program, participating in a study tour of the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) on inclusion, income gaps, and migration issues.
In 2020, he was part of a global media team that covered the United States presidential election.

Dr. Mbamalu has attended prestigious media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and the Reuters/AfDB Training on "Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development in Africa."

As a columnist for The Punch Newspaper, with insightful articles published in other prominent Nigerian dailies, including ThisDay, Leadership, The Sun, and The Guardian, Dr. Mbamalu regularly provides in-depth analysis on socio-political and economic issues.

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