By Sylvanus Ofekun
The recent explanation by Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of Sports Development, regarding the controversy surrounding cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye’s borrowed bike at the ongoing Olympics in Paris has raised more questions than answers. The incident has brought to light the chronic underfunding of sports federations in Nigeria, despite significant budgetary allocations.
According to Senator Enoh, the Nigerian cycling team was unprepared for the additional slot allocated to them by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) due to the disqualification of another country. This lack of preparedness resulted in Ese Ukpeseraye having to borrow a bike from a German company to compete.
Hear him, “Abinitio, Team Nigeria qualified for one road race in cycling and prepared for it in terms of training and the appropriate competition equipment. Team Nigeria was fully prepared for this road race until two weeks ago after the Cycling team with the rest of Team Nigeria had already left for the Olympics, that a communication from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) was received reallocating additional slots to the Cyclist Federation of Nigeria (Kerin and individual sprint). This reallocation to Nigeria was due to the disqualification of a country, leaving Nigeria as the next eligible to make the list of qualified countries to compete. Unfortunately, this additional slot required the use of a different competition equipment in terms of biking.
“For this slot reallocated to Team Nigeria, a very special equipment (approved specifically for the Olympic track game) is used. It’ll take months to have it delivered after ordering and making payment. To therefore get Ese to compete, the Federation through Ese’s Club in Europe and working with a German owned Company, got a ‘Track Bike’ for our cycler Ese.” Enoh stated.
However, a closer examination of the situation reveals a more systemic issue. Sports federations in Nigeria submit annual budgets to the ministry, which are then forwarded to the National for survival.
Reports indicate that under Senator Enoh’s leadership, all sports federations have received zero allocation for 2024, as their allocated funds were supposedly used for the All African Games held earlier in the year in Ghana. Furthermore, some athletes who participated in the games are still awaiting their entitlements.
The 2024 Paris Olympics have a budgetary provision of 12 billion Naira for preparation and participation. Despite this significant allocation, complaints of poor preparation and financial recklessness persist. The minister’s explanation has only scratched the surface of a deeper issue, and he will need to provide more answers in the coming days. The Nigerian public demands transparency and accountability for the 12 billion Naira allocated for the Olympics.
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