Why Nigeria’s sports industry keeps struggling – Igali
Following the embarrassing outing of team Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr Daniel Igali, has called on the federal government to take sports development seriously.
Igali made the call during a press briefing session with journalists at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba.
This is as the former Olympics Champion heaped Paris Olympics woeful performance on sports ministry’s incompetent planning and lack of funding.
According to the world champion, the fire brigade approach to tournaments has contributed to the underdevelopment of the game across the country, thus hindering the progress.
Igali noted that if Nigeria wants to do well in international events, it must re-channel its focus on things that mather, which is the age-grade competition.
He stressed that deliberate steps must be made to eliminate age cheating as the aim of the tournament is being defeated.
Igali, who maintained that every tournament comes with its peculiarities, said the youth games are becoming a failed projection because those obligated to screen athletes have turned it to the highest bidder kind of game.
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“To address this challenge, we must adopt a proactive approach, the government would have to take sports development seriously.
“That being said, I must commend Delta State Government for hosting the Youth Games, but I must express my unpleasantness about the tournament which is age cheating because this is the most important competition we have in the country today,” Igali stated.
Igali, who said the advancement and promotion of grassroots sports should be encouraged at all levels, frowned at some states wanting to win at all cost, hence discrediting the efforts of others.
Also, the NWF president said the Wrestling Federation will invite top six wrestlers from the ongoing 8th NYG to join the national camp in Bayelsa for intensive training and nutrition.
In another development, the President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation used the medium to announce that he won’t be contesting for the position of the president when his tenure expires next year.
According to Igali, the constitution of the Wrestling Federation does not permit a 5th time reign, having served 12 years as president of the NWF.
Igali noted that it would be unconstitutional to vouch for another tenure as the Federation will look for another competent hand to man its affairs.
The United World Wrestling member (UWW) also noted that even when he leaves office, he will still get involved with the activity of the Wrestling Federation, contributing to its growth and development.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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