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Announcing the most
recent sports minister did not generate any immediate excitement
because of past dysfunctional officers. The current minister has just
one year to either make the usual pledge of miraculously changing the
face of Nigerian sports (without giving any clear blue-print) but
eventually doing nothing, or he can decide to quietly ride out his term
by simply enjoying the perks of an office suddenly bestowed upon him.

Opportunity to make a difference

If he selects the
latter, most Nigerians will not be surprised. He could then decide to
use the period to relevantly position himself with a target of an
opportunity to serve again in the next government in whatever capacity
he gets. If you are one of those who think that could be difficult,
think again! You seem to have forgotten that 2010 presents jamboree
opportunities to woo many influential politicians with federal
government sponsored trips to the World Cup in South Africa and
Commonwealth Games in India later in the year.

However, he can
decide to leave an indelible mark on Nigerian sports by doing the right
things to endear himself to millions of Nigerians for whom passionate
involvement in sports offers the cheapest and most exhilarating
solitary comfort in these harsh economic times. Yes! He can do it in
just one year! How you may ask? He can do this by simply focusing on
reconstructing the ruined basics of Nigerian sports development and
functionality.

In my opinion, it
really doesn’t matter what the personal qualifications of the minister
is, so far he has the managerial acumen to envision policy, appoint and
supervise relevantly experienced and fresh personnel who share his
vision, and who are 120% committed to actualising it. I harboured an
initial scepticism when he took the now customary tour of some selected
sports facilities because the action seemed to have ‘façade’ written
all over it based on the antecedents of many of his predecessors.
However some of his more important decisions give slight hope.

For example his
prompt and correct decision over the Eagles hotel matter and decision
to revive government-sponsored foreign sports scholarships for
developing talented Nigerian athletes.

Also, the
minister’s alleged decision to fight corruption by ‘rocking the boat’
starting with a long overdue probe into the finances of the Nigeria
Football Federation is a good start. It tows the line of the
Presidency’s priorities but there is still the matter of also following
‘oga’ in at least stating his intention to focus on correcting the
ruined basics; if he wants to that is.

So what are these
basics or foundations that need immediate action if he truly desires to
reposition Nigeria sports at the forefront of both domestic and
international sports? Here are some of the more important ones.

Focus on football but do not neglect other sports

First and foremost,
he must be a minister of sports and not of football. Yes football is
Nigeria and the world’s foremost sport, but he must not get carried
away like others before him. The minister must remember that hundreds
of thousands of Nigerian talent in other sports have been, and are
still suffering from abject neglect of their talents over the past two
decades or so.

Sports like
handball, volleyball, athletics, boxing, and tennis (Table & Lawn)
that brought Nigeria invaluable international esteem and laurels have
been overshadowed by the injudicious focus on soccer. It is not only in
Nigeria this happens but all over the world. However, the rest of the
world has ensured that other sports are not neglected.

We usually boast of
the huge variety of potential Nigeria has in terms of mineral and human
resources, but haven’t come close to scratching the surface of
utilising this potential in sports. For example, it is high time
swimming talents are systematically sought amidst Nigerians residing in
the creeks and riverside areas of the country, and providing excellent
training facilities to develop them. The time has come for a change and
the minister can catalyse this change.

Secondly and
probably most importantly, the minister must clearly state his plans
for revamping Nigerian sports and the strategies he plans to adopt for
achieving these goals. President Goodluck Jonathan has already set the
pace for his cabinet by announcing what his clear priorities are for
his year in office, and it is only wise that the honourable minister of
sports does the same. This will help him (and us) keep a clear track
record of achievements and enable us lend a helping hand if or when he
may go off course.