Let’s Be Real About This
I’ve been covering sports in Nigeria for 22 years. That’s 22 years of passion, frustration, and more tea than I can count. I’m Adeola, by the way. You might’ve seen my work in the Guardian, or maybe we crossed paths at that chaotic conference in Abuja back in ’18. Point is, I know my stuff. And honestly? Nigerian sports is a beautiful, messy, unpredictable beast.
So, let’s talk about it. Not like some detached observer, oh no. I’ve got opinions. Strong ones. And I’m not afraid to say them. Because that’s what we do here, right? We speak our minds.
That Time I Almost Got Arrested
Remember the Super Eagles match in 2015? No, not the one where they won. The one where they should’ve won but somehow didn’t. I was at the stadium. And look, I’m not proud of this, but I kinda lost it. Started yelling at the ref. Next thing I know, security’s dragging me out. My friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus, his real name’s not important—had to bail me out. He said, “Adeola, you can’t keep doing this.” And I said, “Marcus, have you seen the offside rule being interpreted like that? It’s an outrage!”
But that’s the thing about Nigerian sports. It gets under your skin. You can’t help but care. Even when it drives you crazy.
The State of Our Stadiums
Okay, rant time. Our stadiums are a disgrace. I was at the National Stadium in Lagos last Tuesday. You know what I saw? Potholes. Literal potholes on the track. And don’t even get me started on the toilets. I mean, honestly, it’s like the ’80s called and they want their facilities back.
But here’s the kicker. We’ve got talent. So much talent. Athletes who can make it internationally if they had half a chance. But no. We’re too busy dealing with crumbling infrastructure and corrupt officials to actually develop our sports scene.
I was talking to a colleague named Dave about this. He said, “Adeola, it’s not all bad. Look at the progress we’ve made in football.” And I said, “Dave, progress? We’re still playing in stadiums that look like they’re from a different century. That’s not progress. That’s a tragedy.”
Where’s the Love for Other Sports?
Football, football, football. That’s all we ever talk about. What about athletics? Basketball? Tennis? Oh wait, that’s right. We only care about football. Because God forbid we actually support other sports, right?
I was at a sports conference in Austin a few months back. And you know what? The rest of the world is laughing at us. They’re investing in multiple sports. They’re developing athletes across the board. And what are we doing? We’re putting all our eggs in one basketball-shaped basket. And honestly, it’s kinda embarrassing.
But hey, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe we should just keep doing what we’re doing. Because look how well that’s worked out for us so far.
A Quick Digression: The Time I Tried Playing Football
So, about three months ago, I thought I’d give playing football a shot. I mean, how hard could it be, right? Wrong. Turns out, I’m not exactly Usain Bolt. Or even close. I lasted about 10 minutes before I was wheezing like an old lawnmower. My friend Chioma—real name, she doesn’t care—laughed so hard she cried. She said, “Adeola, maybe stick to writing about sports. Leave the playing to the pros.” And you know what? She had a point.
What Can We Actually Do?
Okay, enough complaining. What can we actually do to improve the state of sports in Nigeria? First off, we need to invest in infrastructure. Like, duh. We need stadiums that don’t look like they’re from a post-apocalyptic wasteland. We need facilities that can actually host international events. And we need to do it now.
Second, we need to support other sports. I mean, come on. We’ve got the talent. We’ve got the passion. We just need the investment. And maybe, just maybe, we can start competing internationally in more than just football.
And finally, we need to hold our officials accountable. I’m not saying we need a revolution or anything. But maybe, just maybe, we can start demanding better from the people in charge. Because honestly, the current state of affairs is a joke. And not a funny one.
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In Conclusion… Wait, No.
Look, I could go on and on about this. But I won’t. Because honestly, I’m tired. Tired of the corruption, tired of the lack of progress, tired of the same old song and dance. So, I’m gonna stop here. But trust me, this conversation is far from over.
About the Author: Adeola has been a sports journalist for over two decades, covering everything from local football matches to international athletic events. When she’s not writing, she can be found yelling at referees or trying (and failing) to play sports herself. You can find more of her work on Nigeria3.com or follow her on Twitter @AdeolaSports.
