2010 World Cup: Eagles need grade A miracle to qualify- Sango

You and I know that Nigeria is the big brother. Nigeria has always come out to bail other African States when it comes to hosting events of this magnitude. I am not surprise that Nigeria decided to host this important conference. You can see that the delegates are many which to me is a sign […]

You and I know that Nigeria is the big brother. Nigeria has always come out to bail other African States when it comes to hosting events of this magnitude. I am not surprise that Nigeria decided to host this important conference. You can see that the delegates are many which to me is a sign of good omen. But Nigeria must match this hosting with our sports development.  Nigeria is a giant and some years back, she used to be a giant in sports as well. But today, we have nothing to show for it. It is very unfortunate that when I was at the Abuja National Stadium,  to watch the Super Eagles play the national team of Mozambique, frustration was about to kill me. The goals refused to come and I was just wondering, Mozambique? Nigeria struggling to beat Mozambique?  Struggling to beat Mozambique here in Nigeria? It is very sad.

What is the way out of this unfortunate situation?

I want Nigeria to see this conference as a challenge. Let them pick up the pieces from this conference and see that from now on wards, they do something that will rekindle the old glory that Nigeria is known for. Before, when you talk of Nigerian football, Africa and even the rest of the World would shake but today, we are a shadow of ourselves. This is very unfortunate? You know sports is a unifying factor. It is only through sports that the country is united completely. There is hardly any disagreement as to whether Nigeria should win or not.  Nigerians speak with one voice when it comes to sports. These are things we should emphasize. These things that will unite Nigerians and make them speak with one voice. Government should rise to the occasion and make sure that sports is given all the necessary support.

What can you say is the future of sports in Nigeria under the present minister of sports?

You see one thing I have always said is that the casualty rate of the ministers of sports in this country is very high. When I was a sports minister, I met with a colleague of mine from Egypt. He told me he was the sports minister for the fourteenth year.  Consequently, he had enough time and opportunity to implement the sports policies that had been formulated. But around here, a sports minister spends one year and he is removed, nine months and he is removed. How can you hold him responsible for the woes? It is not possible. There is no stability as the casualty rate for sports ministers in Nigeria is indeed very high. We have the highest casualty rate than any other country in the world. You journalists are not patient. You are part of the problem. You want to complain and complain and force the government to dance to your complaints. Government is therefore forced to remove the minister.  Whoever is appointed faces similar pressure until he is removed. I suggest that a minister of sports should be there for a minimum of eight years even if he is making mistakes. I mean two terms. We can then hold him responsible, if he fails to perform. I feel that we as a nation must learn to be patient and allow people to learn.

Would you support the idea of having the present minister of sports as president of the Tennis Federation, Vice-President of Confederation of African Tennis and President of Nigeria Olympics Committee?

I will not comment on this. My reason is that I was a sports minister and I am part of the system. Consequently, if I have any advice, to give in this direction, I can go and meet the minister or the Director General in the Sports Commission and render my advice. On this issue, I can not speak more than this in the media.

Earlier on you spoke at length about the declining fortunes of Nigerian sports. Do you see the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2010 World Cup?

We need a grade A miracle for Eagles to qualify. A grade A miracle will fall within the miracle that the Red Sea was divided. That’s the kind of grade A miracle that we need to qualify. All the same, it is not impossible. We can still qualify but even if we qualify, that does not mean we have a good team. It will be due to luck. It will be a miracle. If we eventually qualify to South Africa, we would need a new team. This team can not do anything in South Africa. If we take the present Eagles to South Africa, we would be like Tahiti in Egypt 2009.

But when a situation like this arises, is it not natural to blame the minister of sports on whose shoulders lies the responsibility of supervising the sector?

 I disagree with you on this position. Has he been there for more than a year? This is part of the problem. My argument is that the minister of sports is not a player. He can not wear the jersey to go and play. I have told the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, that we need to hire a foreign coach. There are no two ways about it. We shouldn’t deceive ourselves. The World expects a lot from Nigeria in terms of football. We can not afford to disappoint the world. Therefore we need a grade A foreign coach. None of the coaches we have today can take us to the World Cup .Even if they do, we would not progress beyond the group matches.

If given another opportunity to lead Nigerian sports, is there anything new you will do to develop sports in Nigeria?

I have had my opportunity to lead Nigeria sports. There are so many other Nigerians and many young people are coming with vibrant ideas. I want them to also have a chance to make contributions. But all I am saying is that sports is key to the unity of Nigeria and we need to succeed in sports. Remember that during my time, I came back with three Silver medals from the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and nobody went to the Airport to receive my team. But four years later, we went to Athens 2004 and came back with three bronze medals and the Vice-President went to the Airport to receive them. We celebrated bronze. We have deteriorated to that level. So I am encouraging the sports minister to do his best to arrest this drift and the government also should support him with the required financial resources. Good soup requires plenty money.

Is the present government doing enough for sports?

They are trying but they can do more for sports.