‘A National Embarrassment’: Minister Enoh Vows Reforms After Team Nigeria’s Paris Olympics Disappointment

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has labeled Team Nigeria’s performance in the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics as a ‘disaster’.

Nigeria’s hopes for a medal at the games dimmed on Friday when the 4x400m relay team, despite finishing in second place, was disqualified. The referee ruled against Team Nigeria after one of its members impeded a South African athlete during a changeove.

Similarly, sprint icon Tobi Amusan failed to make it to the final of the women’s 100m hurdles as she finished in third place, clocking a time of 12.55s, which was also not enough to see her qualify as one of the best losers.

In a statement on X on Saturday, the minister noted that he would ensure such disappointing performance does not repeat itself.

He said, “Yesterday, I met with gentlemen of the press at the Nigerian Embassy in Paris for a press briefing following the country’s participation in the 2024 Olympics. As we go back home, we must do everything to prevent future occurrences of the Paris disaster and if this will entail the review of how people are elected to lead our sporting federations, it will be done.

“The elections for the federations are around the corner, and it will be the perfect platform to get only those who are most eligible to lead the various sports federations.

“Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country did not secure any medals does not entail being addressed just by our participation at the Olympics, but it is a product of very many other things that need immediate attention.

“We did everything as a ministry to prepare the athletes adequately and provide them with every financial support, but unfortunately, the performance did not produce any podium finish,” he said.

He vowed to ensure that aspirants for the forthcoming sports federation elections are thoroughly scrutinised.

“I am aware that the sports federations elections in Nigeria are even tougher than our national selections. We must set our standards to scrutinise what motivates those vying to run the federations and get only the best hands.

“This call for reform aims to enhance the leadership and effectiveness of Nigeria’s sports federations, paving the way for improved performance on the global stage.”