Stakeholders blame poor performance in sports on administration

NAN-S-1
Sports
Osogbo, Sept.13, 2016 (NAN) Sport analysts and enthusiasts have attributed the abysmal performance of Nigeria in sport activities, especially in football, to maladministration.

The Assistant-General Manager of Osun Sports Council, Mr Diran Adio, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that sport administration has been “hugely politicised’’ resulting in lack of commitment on the part of athletes and players.

According to him, the process of selection of players that will represent the country in any tournament should be merit-driven.

He solicited holistic reforms in the sector to make it viable and result-oriented.

In the same vein, a senior lecturer in the Department of Physical Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr Owolabi Lasigun, told NAN by telephone that there was need to take sentiment and political interest from sports administration to enhance performance.

He explained that ethnicity and political affiliation were responsible for poor performance of the country in major tournament.

However, a coach in Osogbo, Mr Mojeed Afolabi, suggested the resuscitation of grassroots sports to make talent discovery at the grassroots effective.

According to him, the ineffective sport clubs in schools and inter-schools sport activities, have denied Nigeria of talented sports men and women.(NAN)
DOO/KAY
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(Edited by Kayode Olaitan)