Solomon Ogba, the former Sports Commissioner of the Delta State, one of the richest areas in Nigeria, said that China and Britain had proved what could be achieved with proper planning.

 

Nigeria, the eighth biggest country in the world with a population of 148 million, won only four medals, a silver and three bronze.

 

Ogba, one of the biggest personal benefactors of Nigerian athletes, said: "The country has great athletes who can compete with their colleagues anywhere but they are not following the right channel yet.

 

"Some of them rush to Europe for competitions but fail to think of how to plan for crucial events.

 

”Sports are not just about competition but also about serious planning and development which are supposed to be deliberate to yield results.

 

”What China and Britain did in Beijing is enough to show that any country can rule the world with total commitment, investment and hard work.

 

”The Chinese and British Governments spent so much on its athletes for the Olympic Games.

 

"The athletes from various disciplines were exposed to major competitions and that was why they did well and also succeeded in events they are not too strong."

 

Ogba said that Nigeria's athletes needed to be more disciplined and take things more seriously.

 

He said: "Some of them are not doing the right thing abroad.

 

"They don‘t have coaches, they only train when an event is near and that is not right.

 

”Nothing is impossible, China and Britain has demonstrated that in Beijing and that is why I believe our athletes can be among the best if the Government invests hugely in sports.

 

"The athletes cannot stay here and achieve the expected results.

 

"They need to move out for exposure.

 

”Look at weightlifting, the average Nigerian lifter has the strength and size to do well but lacks the technique.

 

"Wrestling is the same thing and it baffles me that we cannot do well in these events."

 

Ogba believes that new leadership is needed in Nigeria and that foreign coaches may be needed to be employed to help the country's athletes realise their potential.

 

He said: ”You need a leadership that is understanding and committed to sports development.”

 

"Nigeria has all it takes to do well on the world stage because God has blessed the country with the raw materials.

 

”For now, all our coaches should step aside and the National Sports Commission should engage expatriates to take us to the level we should be.”