The Federal Government has issued an apology to Nigerians following the disappointing performance of the country’s athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Nigeria did not win any medals at the event.
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, acknowledged the shortfall in performance, stating that it fell below expectations and objectives. He expressed regret and promised a thorough review to understand what went wrong.
Enoh, who took office in August 2023, pointed out that preparations for the Olympics were not underway when he assumed his role, and noted the tight schedule, which also included the AFCON and the African Games. Despite these challenges, he assured that financial constraints were not an issue, thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support.
Looking ahead, Enoh emphasized the importance of learning from this experience to improve future performances. He assured that a comprehensive review would be conducted, evaluating athletes’ readiness, medical histories, and the roles of coaches and administrative staff.
The Minister expressed hope that the lessons learned would lead to better outcomes in upcoming sporting events, including the Paralympic Games in Paris, and future Olympics.
