Islamic Solidarity Games now gold mine for Team Nigeria

The best-ever performance by Team Nigeria at the recently concluded Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) in Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia, has not only underscored Nigeria’s rising profile in international sporting competitions, it has also changed the trajectory of the country’s participation at the Games which debuted in 2005. The Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) is a multi-sport event that […]

The best-ever performance by Team Nigeria at the recently concluded Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) in Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia, has not only underscored Nigeria’s rising profile in international sporting competitions, it has also changed the trajectory of the country’s participation at the Games which debuted in 2005.

The Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) is a multi-sport event that brings together athletes from the 57 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Established by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), the Games goes beyond mere sporting competition- it is centered on using sport as a platform for unity, co-operation, and the promotion of shared Islamic values among participating nations.

Although, the ISSF strives to improve Islamic solidarity, promote Islamic identity in sports and help reduce discrimination toward Muslims, non-Muslim citizens from member countries participate in the Games. This explains why Team Nigeria in the latest Games in Riyadh was dominated by Christian athletes.

 The first edition of the Games was held in 2005. In that edition, the Games was male-only with 7,000 athletes from 54 countries competing in 13 sports. Four other editions were held before the last edition in Riyadh where Team Nigeria asserted dominance in weightlifting with athletics and wrestling also showing up with gold medals.

 

Past outings by Team Nigeria

Team Nigeria recorded barren outings at the first two editions in Mecca 2005 and Palembang in 2013. However, there was remarkable improvement in Nigeria’s performance at the 2017 edition in Baku where the country’s athletes scooped two gold, three silver and one bronze totaling six medals to finish in 17th position.

At the 2021 edition of the Games in Konya, Turkiye, Team Nigeria finished 21st on the medals table winning one gold, three silver and one bronze for a total of five medals.

Therefore, it is on record that before the recent success in Riyadh, Team Nigeria had managed only 11 medals comprising three gold, six silver and two bronze medals in four appearances.

 

Nigeria’s best-ever performance

Despite underwhelming performances at past editions of the Solidarity Games, Team Nigeria shone brightly at the recently held Games in Saudi Arabia.

Having fully committed itself to proper planning and participation, Nigeria recorded her best-ever performance at the Games winning 30 medals in a single edition to finish in eighth position.

Nigeria again underscored her status as a formidable force in weightlifting as the sport contributed the highest of medals- six gold, four silver and three bronze medals, while athletics followed with two gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Wrestling, where Nigeria has retained as a stronghold also shipped in two gold, and two silver, Para-Powerlifting added a gold medal, while boxing and para-athletics recorded one silver each. Taekwondo wrapped up Nigeria’s medals with one bronze.

Worthy of mention is the fact that Nigeria won medals in all seven events- weightlifting, athletics, wrestling, para-powerlifting, para-athletics, boxing, and taekwondo- that Team Nigeria competed in.

Therefore, Nigeria’s performance in Saudi Arabia surpassed the previous best record which came in 2017 in Baku. The success also highlights Nigeria’s growing influence and relevance in the Islamic Solidarity Games.

 

NSC attributes feat to strategic planning

As the country celebrates the latest international success in sports, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has attributed the accomplishments of 30 medals at the Games to the Commission’s decision to take only podium athletes to the Games.

While reflecting on the success, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olapade, said when the Commission met with the Elite and Podium Board led by Olympian Yusuf Alli, it was decided that the only athletes with potential to win medals make the trip to Riyadh.

This latest policy by the new NSC put to rest what used to be a jamboree anytime Team Nigeria was to attend any international competition.

  In a statement by the NSC, the DG said, It is not a coincidence that Nigeria won medals in every sport we participated in at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games.

“This achievement reflects the new direction we have taken in sports development. After meeting with our team at the Commission and the Elite and Podium Board led by Yusuf Alli, we made a deliberate decision to bring only podium prospects to Riyadh and today that decision has paid off.

“From boxing to taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, track and field and powerlifting, Nigeria secured medals in every sport we entered.

“This is the new benchmark at the National Sports Commission, guiding our preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and ultimately, the Olympics.”

The NSC also sees Team Nigeria’s record-breaking performance in Riyadh as a defining moment in the country’s sporting evolution and strengthens the country’s position as a fast-rising force in global multi-sport competitions.

A former Katsina State Director of Sports, Alhaji Aliyu Kofar-Soro, has said Nigeria stands to benefit immensely by participating in the Islamic Solidarity Games. Speaking to Weekend Trust Sports, the sports administrator said since the Games is for even non-Muslim athletes, it would go a long way in uniting Nigerians who are most times divided along religious lines.

He said those who condemned the inclusion of Christians in the team that represented Nigeria in Riyadh did so out of either ignorance or mischief.

Kofar-Soro maintained that Nigeria is on “fire” and anything that would help douse the tension or unite the country must be encouraged.

“First, I want to state clearly that in sports, there is no religion.  I repeat, sports  has no religion. It has been clearly stated by the organisers that the Games is for even non-Muslim athletes from participating countries.  

“Therefore, I see nothing wrong in the decision by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to include Christian athletes in the team that represented us at the Games.

“Sometimes people speak out of ignorance or just to cause problems. They seek public attention or ways to make money.

“Nigeria is on fire right now so anything that will unite us should be supported. We should make peace and unity a priority, not religious sentiments,” he advised.

Kofar-Soro concluded that those who try to exploit religion at every given opportunity most times don’t even keep to the teachings of their religion.

“Every religion preaches love and peaceful co-existence. Unfortunately, some adherents don’t practise their religion the right way.

“Personally, I support anything that will encourage religious harmony in Nigeria. I see nothing wrong with bringing Muslim and Christian athletes together to represent the country.

“The medals won by Team Nigeria at the Games do not carry the badge of any religion. The medals were won by Nigerian athletes for Nigeria,” said Kofar-Soro.