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Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi expresses Disappointment at the Dismal Performance of Team Nigeria at the Olympics
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Nigeria’s Sports Minister has admitted his disappointment with the performance of Team Nigeria so far at the London 2012 Olympics saying it is a clear testimony of how far Nigerian sports has fallen behind.
The Minister who addressed a team of journalists at the Nigerian House in Stratford yesterday said there was no need to indulge in any unproductive blame game but to rather see it as an opportunity to rebuild.
“Our inability to win any medal so far is as disappointing for my team and myself and for all Nigerians everywhere. But we must have the courage to see it as it is. This is a clear testimony to how far our sports has fallen behind,” Punch reported.
“We shall therefore not attempt any excuses or indulge in any unproductive blame game. Rather than see this as a failure, we must see it as an opportunity to rebuild. When other countries found themselves in this kind of situation in the past, they have used the galvanizing power of disappointment to get down to work.”
He stated, “Having been appointed Minister of Sports only two months to the Olympics, I have had to learn very quickly. And I have not received a better lesson than in the last two weeks of London 2012. We have been hoping too much on luck, but for once, God is telling us he’s not a magician.”
He praised Team Nigeria for putting up a brave showing at the Olympics, noting, “Our athletes tried their best. We can only hope to build on what they have done.”
“According to a Yoruba saying, as you pose for a camera that is how you will appear. There’s no magic.”
Nigeria has not won any medal so far at the ongoing London 2012 Olympics.
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What do you think about the Minister’s comments? Do you think Nigerians relied too much on luck? How do you feel about Team Nigeria’s performance at the Olympics so far? What can be done to achieve better results next time?