… Says Nigerians needs to change their attitude towards infrastructures
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has said Nigeria has the potential to emerge as a leading sports destination in Africa if stakeholders deliberately work together in unity.
Shaibu made the assertion in Rabat, Morocco, shortly after Nigeria’s 4–2 penalty defeat to the host nation in the semifinal of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ben Ogbenidia, the NIS DG urged Nigerian sports administrators to draw lessons from Morocco’s deliberate investments in sports infrastructure and development.
“I think we leaders in Nigeria, myself inclusive, should, with deliberate effort, know that traveling is also education. When we travel to places like this, we should also copy the good things we see and bring them to Nigeria.” Shaibu said.
He described Morocco as the current pace-setter in African sports, noting the scale and quality of infrastructure on display.
“Well, I think Morocco has gone very far, very, very far. Morocco is setting the pace in Africa now. When we went to South Africa for the World Cup in 2010, I thought South Africa was there, but with the kind of facility that I see in Morocco. From when we came for the WAFCON till now, I can tell you that there’s a deliberate effort by Morocco to conquer Africa, and to also involve the world as far as sport is concerned in the world.” He expressed.
Shaibu further highlighted his experience at different stadiums in Rabat, stressing the impressive planning and efficiency surrounding the facilities.
“Because in Rabat, for instance, the stadium we played our World Cup qualifier is different from what we played yesterday. I thought that was the best, until yesterday, I saw that where we played the last time was just a tip of the iceberg, compared to the stadium we played yesterday.”
“Morocco does seem to be a country in Africa, the infrastructure that I saw. It took us less than 30 minutes to get out of the stadium, even with that crowd, the infrastructure around the stadium, road infrastructure and control was marvelous. So we have a long way to go.” He added.
While commending the President Olusegun Obasanjo- led administration for its vision in developing sports infrastructure, Shaibu lamented the failure of past sports administrators to sustain and effectively utilize existing facilities in Nigeria.
“I will blame past sports administrators and leaders that have been treating sport with kids’ role. Because, for instance, I will thank President Obasanjo, for building the Moshood Abiola International stadium in Abuja. When you check that stadium facility, and what is in that environment, you see that there was a president that also wanted to do what the Moroccans are doing now. But was it sustainable? No.”
He expressed concern over the current state of the stadium, saying:
“We built that kind of edifice in Nigeria but go there today, it’s rats and lizards and religious crusades that are taking over that stadium. Not sporting activities.”
Shaibu also condemned what he described as unpatriotic conduct by some Nigerians during the semifinal match against Morocco, accusing them of prioritizing personal gain over national support.
“For instance, I was told that match tickets that were given to Nigerians were resold to Moroccans. Whereas we needed the support of those Nigerians but they decided to collect the ticket and stay outside while Moroccans bought the tickets and supported their team.”
He noted the impact of the hostile atmosphere on the players, adding:
“The noise level in that stadium can confuse any player no matter how professional you are.”
The NIS DG concluded by calling for a national change in attitude toward sports infrastructure and development.
“We Nigerians also need change of attitude towards the infrastructure itself because what we are saying in Morocco is only possible in Nigeria, if all of us beyond the leadership decide to say we actually want a Nigeria that is supposed to be the number sporting destination.”
