Indeed, life is two sides of the coin, while lovers of football in the country were jubilating over the approval of a sum of 1.3 million dollars for the Super Eagles ahead of the upcoming 34th African Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Côte d’Ivoire by President Bola Tinubu.
The fans and lovers of other over 40 sports federations were lamenting of no support from the government to attend the same type of competition football stands.
There is no doubt that football is the biggest sport in Nigeria and a large chunk of individuals can go to any length to give financial support to football. It is not a hidden secret that Football has its budget in the ministry while other sports are at the mercy of football.
Over the years it’s on record that the government at all levels always supported football while other sports such as volleyball, Handball, Basketball, Cricket, Shooting, Hockey, Tennis, and Taekwondo to mention but a few are seriously suffering as a result of no support from government or ministry
Nigeria’s handball team will feature in the 26th African Men’s Championship from 17 to 27 January 2024 in Egypt. Your Excellency sir, it will interest you to know that the handball team has been in camp since December 2023 in preparation for their Nations Cup too. The Handball Federation of Nigeria is working round the clock to ensure that the men’s team do not miss the tournament. If you can graciously approve the sum of 500 million naira, it will go a long way in ‘lifting the spirit of the players.
Football is not the only sport that brings joy to the hearts of Nigeria; we have over 32 sports in the country.
The football community is currently in jubilation that you have graciously approved the sum of 1.3 million dollars for the Super Eagles, while the community of other sports tagged “Lesser Sports” are currently mourning. It will interest you to know that most of the Sporting Federations have not received a dime from the budget in the last 10 years. The current Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh has been running round the clock in ensuring that the Sports Federation access their budget since he came on board and has echoed this during meetings with the Federation President.
Football players who earn millions of naira in their respective clubs still get large match bonuses from the Government when they play matches while other sports struggle to get transport fare after their various tournaments. Sir, the only time Nigerian athletes get treated well is when they are attending the African Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympic Games. For record purposes, the various sports federations sponsor their athletes to the qualifiers before handing them over to the Federal Government.
I read an article where the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod appealed to Mr President to increase the Sports Budget of the Ministry of Sports; I agree with him.
2024 is going to be a very busy year for sportsmen and women in the country as they will be attending the African Games, Olympic Games as well as the Paralympic Games. This is the right time for President Bola Tinubu to show the good people of Nigeria that he is a sports lover and not a Football lover.
Football is just ‘ONE’ medal while we have other individual sports where the country can win multiple medals. It is time for us to diversify and give proper attention to the other sports.
