Bio, who replaced Alhaji Ndanusa, the first vice-president of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), as Sports Minister last month, admitted he was shocked by the poor standard of the country's stadiums and training venues following a tour of them.

He said: "The facilities do not speak well of the country and we need to put them in good shape.

"If we want to produce athletes that would win medals at international competition, then we have to provide a conducive environment for them to do so.

"I must say that it is clear that we need to improve all the facilities because I am surprise at the level of decay.

"Some of the things I saw [at the national stadium] are things I didn't expect.

"We must start working because of the limited time we have.

"It is a collective responsibility and I am not saying I'm the only one who has the knowledge to put things right.

"There is hope that the facilities would be given a facelift.

"I have already spoken to the Senate on the need to refurbish the gymnasium and they have given me their words that funds will be made available."

Bio hopes that if facilities can improve it will generate enthusiasm at all levels of Nigerian sport.

He said: "We must also consider the fact that ageing athletes needs to be replaced and the only place we can get replacements is the grassroots.

"So we must develop the grassroots and talents discovered can be nurtured to become world stars."

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the eighth biggest in the world, has only ever won two Olympic gold medals since they made their debut in the Games at Helsinki in 1952.

Both came at Atlanta in 1996 when the men's football team claimed gold and Chioma Ajunwa won the long jump.

At the last Olympics in Beijing Nigeria won four medals, a silver and three bronze.

Bio, who has also taken over as the chairman of the National Sports Commission, wants to invest resources in sports which offer Nigeria the opportunity of multiple medals.

He said: "Football can only fetch us a one medal, I will like to concentrate on sports like athletics, swimming, boxing, weightlifting and the likes."


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