By Our Sports Correspondent
Adeyinka Adeboye, the Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports to the Minister of Sport Development, John Enoh, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience following Team Nigeria's disappointing performance at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The team returned without a single medal, marking the third time since 1988 that Nigeria has failed to secure a medal at the Olympics.
Reflecting on the outcome, Adeboye, who previously served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, expressed his regret over the result. He urged Nigerians to accept the Minister's apology and look forward to a brighter future, stating that the passion shown by Nigerians is a testament to their deep connection to the Games.
Adeboye emphasized that the Minister had only been in office for a year prior to the Games, making it difficult to influence the preparation, which typically spans four years. He assured the public that the Ministry is taking lessons from this experience and is already laying the groundwork for a better performance at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Despite the challenges, Adeboye highlighted some positives from Team Nigeria's outing, noting that the athletes were fairly compensated, with both foreign and home-based athletes receiving equal attention. He also pointed to the participation of young athletes, who he believes represent the future of Nigerian sports.
Looking ahead, Adeboye expressed confidence in Nigeria's Paralympic team, stating, "The Paralympics will be starting soon, and I can assure Nigerians that they are going to make us proud.
