Bio must work closely with athletes, says Sango

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday on phone, the former sports minister said Bio has a short time to preside over Nigerian sports but right before him is the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India which he is consigned to preside over whether he has the prerequisite knowledge or not. He noted that since the 2010 Commonwealth Games […]

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday on phone, the former sports minister said Bio has a short time to preside over Nigerian sports but right before him is the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India which he is consigned to preside over whether he has the prerequisite knowledge or not.

He noted that since the 2010 Commonwealth Games is around the corner, the minister must become a sports man without further delay as it is his responsibility to prepare the nation’s athletes for the important competition.

Sango advised that instead of depending on his subordinates for information on his athletes, he must get to the athletes himself and monitor their progress saying if he waits for reports from his lieutenants, he would be misled by some over zealous officials.

He, therefore advised that the new minister must sit down with the technocrats in the ministry and ask pertinent questions about their preparations for the Games.

Sango said: “The time is too short for the new minister to make changes but he should sit down with his technocrats and ask them salient questions with the hope that answers provided would put him in a better position to lead Nigerian sports within the available time.

“But more importantly, he must become a sports man without further delay. He should learn to wear track suits from now henceforth and mix with his athletes to know their needs. He should monitor them so as to have an idea of what they are likely going to produce at the Commonwealth Games. It is only when he knows the timing of his athletes and those of athletes from other countries that he can make promises”.

He reiterated that if the minister over depends on his subordinates without getting close to the athletes, he would be deceived into making promises that would embarrass him.

Sango confessed that during his time as minister of sports, he was given the impression that Nigerian athletes would clinch as much as five gold medals at the Sydney Olympics but in the end, he was able to produce only three silver medals.

“Bio must not make promises based on what he is told. He should ask questions and personally assess the athletes. Nobody should mislead him into promising the nation ten gold medals when in reality he can not win even one. I was misled and I am speaking from experience” he stated.