When Kenya Win Medals And Nigeria Don't, It's A Problem- Olusoji Fasuba

A former Nigerian athlete, Olusoji Fasuba, has blamed the Athletic Federation of Nigeria for the disappointing performance of Team Nigeria at the ongoing IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.

Fasuba, who competed for the country in the 60m, 100m and 200m said that it is worrisome for a country like Nigeria not to haave won a single medal when the likes of Kenya and other East African countries have won one or more since the event started.

“When a country like Kenya can produce world champions in the 400m hurdles, then hope is not lost for Africa,” he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

“But when a country like Nigeria thinks African Championship is the ultimate because they refuse to give or have faith in their athletes at the world stage, then we are lost as a country.

“How can Nigeria move forward when they limit the abilities of the male sprinters by keeping them because they feel that they wouldn’t get a medal?”

Fasuba added that the home-based athletes should be given the opportunity to represent the country at the World Championships because it will enable them become better athletes.

He said, “Keeping the home-based athletes from running the Worlds is not the way to encourage them or throwing money on old semi-retired athletes, who will not bring us medals; that is not the solution.

“The home-based athletes need money more than words of encouragement. I was once in the system and I know what it feels like.

“They have missed the allowances they will get from this World Championships by not competing and also the hope of getting managers for those that want to compete professionally is dim.”

He also lamented the recycling of athletes rather than building from the grassroots.

“The problem is that the Nigerian system wants quick results and instead of addressing the problem from the bottom, they have decided to look for ready-made athletes, which has not helped,” he said.

“They like to say ‘we will prepare for the next big stage when it comes.’ But they have forgotten that it is an overused phrase.

“I have been hearing it since I became a professional athlete running for Nigeria and I still hear that same comment now that I am retired. The country needs to focus on the young ones but I guess they always want the easy way out.” Punch