No 2012 London Olympics jamboree

In the past, sporting events like the London Olympics were converted into jamborees as even those who have nothing to contribute to the success of Team Nigeria made such trips with the singular aim of pocketing hefty estacode which comes in hard currencies. High ranking politicians beginning from the Presidency, the Senate, House of Representatives, […]

In the past, sporting events like the London Olympics were converted into jamborees as even those who have nothing to contribute to the success of Team Nigeria made such trips with the singular aim of pocketing hefty estacode which comes in hard currencies.

High ranking politicians beginning from the Presidency, the Senate, House of Representatives, and other ‘unwanted elements’ usually flooded such venues for reasons other than supporting the team.

Whenever this happened, the number of official government delegation far out-weighed the number of athletes for such a sporting event. It is an open secret that such ‘unwanted elements’ ended up creating even more problems for Team Nigeria as some over-zealous government officials go to the extent of interfering in the affairs of the team.

In the past, nobody gave such an aberration any serious consideration but it appears the present administration has garnered enough courage to take the bull by the horns. If this happens, apart from the athletes and their officials, those who wish to attend the London Olympics as spectators would have to source for other means of sponsorship.

As commendable as this decision is, it has since been received with a pinch of salt because most Nigerians believe government is only playing to the gallery as in the end, those powerful political appointees who know next to nothing about sports would be at the head of government delegation to the games.

However, Nigerian sports pundits have continued to react to the decision and most have been unanimous in their position that it is a welcome development as it would save the team some of the unnecessary distractions.

Former NFA image maker, Mr. Austin Mgbolu in a telephone interview with Shot! said it is a welcome development because in the past such large government delegation constituted itself into a serious nuisance to the athletes.

He said at such times, the target for most members of the delegation was not medals but luggage because their primary concern was sight-seeing and pleasures.

Mgbolu said even chartered flights hardly accommodated the excess luggage of such government officials who made sure they bought everything within their reach.

“It is a welcome development because in the past it was major problem. It was a big problem because those who had no business with such events ended up there.

“For such people, the target is not medals at stake but luggage. They go for sight-seeing and jamboree. If government can implement this decision, it will help.

“There are so many ways of keeping such people occupied. They can be engaged in other profitable ventures in other ways. Only those who have business with the Olympics should be taken”, he stated.

Other stakeholders also told NAN in Lagos that the decision was good because the event was not a jamboree and that the present economical situation in the country could not support such frivolities.

Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles Coach, said that government’s decision would help fight corruption in the sports sector.

“The decision will allow the participating athletes to be well taken care of during the period of the games.

“At times, athletes are not well taken care of because of concentration on unnecessary delegates who have nothing to do in the games and which ought not to be.

“Besides, I don’t see what they are going there to do since they don’t have any meaningful contribution to make in the games,” he said.

Chukwu noted that the usual large number of government-sponsored Nigerians to international events not only embarrassed the host countries but was also a wasteful exercise because the delegates only went for sightseeing.

Paul Hamilton, a former Super Falcon Coach, described government’s decision as a good step and new development in the history of sports in the country.

“The Federal Government knows the state of its purse and that such step will conserve resources that can be channelled to other profitable projects in the country.

“Anyone interested in watching the Olympic Games should sponsor himself or herself and not on tax payers money,’’ the former coach added.

Henry Amike, an Olympian, said that priority should be given only to athletes and officials who had official business in the games.

“Such firm decisions will save the country from unnecessary wastage of public funds, which could be diverted for the development of other grassroots sports begging for recognition.

“Those that had the intention of going for jamboree should be prepared to fund their trips because there is no room for such frivolous expenses from the government,’’ he said.

The London Olympic Games is to hold from July 27 to Aug. 14.