For the reason that begin of the Olympics this 12 months, I’ve began to check extra Nigerian sports activities apart from soccer, which I’m extra acquainted with. From tennis to working, lengthy soar to boxing, it’s fascinating to see Nigerians ranging from the grassroots at house and reaching nice success on the world stage. It made me surprise if I used to be neglecting our nation’s sporting historical past, or if there was an absence of correct documentation and celebration of those achievements. With out studying or doing a lot analysis I got here throughout Usain Bolt, Serena Williams and the names of different athletes. Why haven’t I met athletes from my nation?
Twenty-five years in the past, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara On the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she received the lengthy soar championship and have become Nigeria’s first particular person Olympic gold medalist. In fact, her title is etched within the corridors of Nigerian sports activities historical past and he or she is the pleasure of the nation. Nevertheless, as essential as this achievement was (and nonetheless is), her presence within the public eye was not as distinguished as I anticipated. In an interview, she informed how profitable a gold medal on the Olympics was broadly celebrated within the nation. “The group I met on the airport was overwhelming and unprecedented. The federal government declared a three-day public vacation and we had been pushed across the nation in a convoy. Right now, I’ve been considering: What is going to change into of Nigeria’s sports activities heroes after the applause fades? ?
Within the UK, athletes’ careers typically transition into new roles that thrust them into the highlight. soccer gamers like Gary Lineker and Gary Neville Transition right into a media function offering commentary on main sports activities networks. Serena WilliamsAfter her illustrious tennis profession, she not solely remained related by way of her enterprise ventures, but in addition turned a significant voice in sports activities and popular culture. The visibility of those athletes, even in retirement, is proof of a system that values and sustains their contributions in retirement.
In Nigeria, nonetheless, the scenario is completely different. Names that after commanded international consideration in soccer and different sports activities have largely disappeared from public view. I ponder why their achievements within the subject have not translated into sustained visibility or affect.
I sought to discover why this occurs and the way Nigeria does or doesn’t honor its previous sporting heroes.
lack of institutional help
Some of the apparent variations between the experiences of retired athletes in Nigeria and people in locations such because the UK or the US is the extent of institutional help. In these international locations, there are buildings in place to assist athletes transition into their new roles. For instance, the Skilled Footballers’ Affiliation (PFA) in England affords a variety of providers to assist retired footballers discover new profession paths, from schooling grants to networking alternatives in media and training.
In distinction, Nigerian athletes typically discover themselves with out such a security internet. The shortage of a robust help system means many individuals are left to navigate retirement alone, typically with little to no steerage on find out how to parlay their sporting careers into different ventures. Right now, most athletes of Nigerian descent would somewhat play for an additional nation than Nigeria. This lack of help not solely impacts their success in retirement but in addition causes their contributions to vanish from public consciousness.
Whereas this isn’t solely distinctive to Nigeria, it illustrates the huge quantity of dysfunction and weak establishments within the nation. This 12 months, Favor Ofili Because the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) didn’t register her title, she was unable to take part within the 100m occasion on this Olympics. When these establishments fail to maintain lively and competing athletes, how can they assure they are going to take care of retirees?
cultural angle
I additionally realized that Nigerians typically have a nonchalant angle in direction of sports activities earlier than a participant or athlete turns into priceless on the worldwide stage. This impacts to some extent the best way legends are revered. Within the household, everybody desires their youngsters to change into attorneys, medical doctors and engineers. Typically talking, nobody desires to lift a toddler on this nation who hopes to sooner or later be a soccer participant. In Europe and America, youngsters see athlete morale and graffiti on partitions and streets, which subconsciously impacts their future aspirations. Statues are erected and their tales informed and retold to make sure their legacies endure and encourage generations to come back. This celebration of heritage is just not deeply ingrained in Nigerian tradition. We frequently rejoice present successes somewhat than previous glories, and give attention to the current somewhat than an ongoing appreciation of historical past. As new stars emerge within the coming years, some current athletes will quickly be forgotten. It sort of reverses the system. The Nigerian system doesn’t view sports activities as exportable materials.
function of media
I imagine the media additionally performs a job within the public decline of former athletes. Within the UK, for instance, former athletes typically change into pundits, columnists and commentators, which places them within the public eye. This continued presence helps preserve their relevance and ensures their legacy lives on.
In Nigeria, nonetheless, the media setting doesn’t provide the identical alternatives. There isn’t even a devoted sports activities evaluation and commentary platform. The shortage of media visibility means athletes are rapidly forgotten as soon as they retire. Even probably the most adorned Nigerian sports activities stars wrestle to take care of a presence in public discourse.
I do know some athletes is probably not simply accessible, however media is media for a cause; if there’s a thriving tradition of devoted platforms and platforms that includes former athletes, it will not be that onerous to draw them. This once more provides to the character of the Nigerian system. The system doesn’t focus sufficient on sports activities to generate income that trickles right down to the grassroots. ultimate sports activities finances, nitrogenA former athlete described that 31.24 billion, Sadiq Abdullahas a result of “Nigeria is just not able to develop sports activities.”
If Nigeria is to do justice to the legacy of its sporting heroes, efforts have to be made to vary the best way athletes are handled, which can translate into how they’re handled throughout retirement. This could begin with constructing higher help techniques for athletes each throughout and outdoors of lively competitors. A nationwide physique devoted to athletes’ welfare, just like the PFA within the UK, might present much-needed steerage and alternatives. It doesn’t converse effectively of our athletes having their solely jerseys rewashed all through the match, or that the accountable company not letting them compete.
If Nigeria desires to really honor its sporting legends, it should tackle these points and create an setting the place their legacies dwell on lengthy after their careers are over. The achievements of Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara and numerous different Nigerian athletes should be remembered and celebrated, not simply on anniversaries however as a long-lasting a part of the nation’s legacy.
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Function picture by Victor Chijioke for Pexels
