Nigeria’s performance in some Sports in 2013 is as a result of proper preparation and motivation, a sports analyst has said.
The country recorded commendable achievements in 2013, ranging from the wining of the Africa Cup of Nations to the FIFA Under 17 World Cup victory in United Arab Emirate.
In athletics, Nigeria also recorded a remarkable feat when Blessing Okagbare won a medal in Long Jump in Moscow at the Athletic World Championship.
The Executive Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Patrick, rated Nigeria’s performance in Football and Athletics high, saying that some measures taken by the National Sport Commission yielded good results.
He said some of the measure were proper preparation and motivation of Athletes and footballers and the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between the National Sports Commission and the State’s Sports Commissions.
“The Sports commission is building a relationship with some states that are very strong in some areas in sports.
“Katsina State for instance is strong in weight lifting; Plateau State is strong in mile and distance races. And the commission is providing adequate ground for different states to discover talents.
“When athletes are discovered a platform is provided for them to ensure that they do well. At the state level some athletes are giving scholarships as motivation and a means of monitoring them.
“Delta State has been outstanding in athletics because the athletes are properly motivated. The State gives them scholarship and civil service jobs.
“The symbiotic relationship is important because it is the states that have direct relationship with the discovered athletes and footballers,” Mr Amaju said.
He also emphasised the Minister of Sports’ passionate commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria, saying it yielded good results.
“Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, has been able to earn the trust of corporate Nigeria and that is beginning to impact the funding of sports in Nigeria. More corporate bodies are beginning to commit their funds to the development of sports,” he said.
He pointed out that the Nigerian government had also made concerted effort in ensuring that the Under 17 Golden Eaglets are kept together and nurtured to ensure continuity.
“The Nigerian government is doing its best to make sure that the team stays together. At the World Cup in Russia, we will see them perform better. The National sports Commission is monitoring the members of the team through the state and the clubs they belong to,” Mr Amaju reiterated.
He called on Nigerians to support the current leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation to ensure that the growth witnessed in 2013 was sustained.