Sports Stakeholders have called for better funding and early preparation of athletes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, for Nigeria to make appreciable impact at the Games.

The stakeholders comprising of officials from the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Sports Federations, Technical departments of the Sports Ministry among others made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, at a Ministerial Post Games Audit Review Meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, convened the meeting to review Team Nigeria’s poor outing at the Paris 2024/Paralympic Games.

After the closed door meeting which lasted for hours, NAN reports that the stakeholders highlighted the need for early release of funds for preparation, and grooming of younger athletes to replace the ageing ones.

They also called for more support for athletes, coache and other officials, while stressing the need for a more robust anti-doping strategy and training facilities for athletes.

President
of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida, told NAN that in spite of the challenges leading to the Paris Games, the D’Tigress were able to make history at the Games.

‘Since our participation in Tokyo four years ago, we have seen significant improvement, building on our 2021 Africa Cup win in Kigali.

‘The team’s (D’Tigress) resilience, coaching, and consistent preparation contributed to their success,’ Kida said.

He, however, said that the issue of delays in releasing funds and the budgeting system remain a major challenge in Nigerian sports.

The NBBF boss, therefore, called for a more proactive approach in line with international best practices.

President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, said the meeting was apt in addressing the challenges facing Team Nigeria at international competitions.

He stressed the need for the meticulous implementation of the National Sports Industry Policy to galvanise the holistic development of sports in Nigeria.

‘I feel that it’s a good d
evelopment that we were able to have this kind of review meeting and if we can implement the recommendations.

‘I am also very happy for the National Sports Industry Policy that creates the enabling environment for sports to be managed like a business.

‘So, the implementation of the policy is very important,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria