Nigeria as a nation is contending with a great problem which many have described as a monster that is slowing the pace of the country’s movement towards its intended move to the promise land. Sport as a phenomenon in Nigeria cannot be isolated in the fight against corruption hence we must begin to think about adopting a new form of sport management that can fast track our sporting project to the desired destination. Let me rest this discussion for another day while we address an identified cancer in the wheel of our sport development especially in the various States across Nigeria.
Today as I x-ray the various indices predicting our current state in the development and management of sport I came to the conclusion that Nigeria is where we are in sport largely because of what I refer to as “Sport Management Nepotism” which is a situation whereby persons been appointed into sport management offices are appointed not on the basis of merit or professionalism but rather on favoritism and patronage which is always not on merit.
We cannot continue to manage sport in this manner as though we are managing a family business. High ethics, professionalism, capability, transparency, healthy competition, experience must all be considered before ever an appointment is made especially in appointing sport managers in our various states this of course does not isolate appointment at the federal level too. I am aware that some state government are of the erroneous believe that the appointment of persons into sports related management capacities is basically by the youthfulness of the person.
However, in most cases Some State Government appoint their political aides and cronies without any sport management background and who are not interested in learning or embarking on sport management training. This act is a major setback in the development of sport in Some States within Nigeria. There is hardly any State in Nigeria that have not been involved in Sport Management Nepotism and the product of this process in most cases have left nothing to write home about that is why we have in Some States in Nigeria no suitable Stadium or signs of sport development.
A reflection into the electioneering campaign period of our State Governors, portrays a worrisome picture in that most Gubernatorial Candidates only focus during their campaign in promising the construction of good roads, hospitals, boreholes, schools and creation of employment e.t.c. just to mention a few but I can’t ever remember any contesting Gubernatorial Candidate that has talked about his or her Sport Development Programme for the State.
No wonder some State Governors even after spending their first tenure in Office cannot boast of constructing a standard stadium and sport complex for their state. For those who manage to build stadiums they failed in engaging the qualified personnel to help them drive the State Sport Economy development agenda.
The lack of State constructed stadium is a big setback in the actualization of the overall sport development policy of Nigeria and the vision 20:20 and this is a big shame considering the immense benefit that would have been derived by the ownership of such facilities. For those states that have good stadiums that have been able to host International Sporting Events I am very sure, they will be able to comprehend what am talking about when I say the benefit of such hosting is tremendous and can best be imagined and experienced by the host state.
Considering the importance of owning State Sport Facilities, I wish to implore any State that have not constructed a befitting Sport Stadium or sporting complex in their State to please Endeavour to build standard Sport Facilities that are fully equip with modern equipments thus they will be unlocking the sporting potentials of the indigenes while also creating a viable sport economy in their state. For this feat to be achieved there must be a determined effort especially in the area of appointment of sport managers. We should begin to see the benefit of taking the business of sport seriously.
A quick glance into the economic activity that may be experienced in a State hosting a National or International Competition includes and not limited to the high patronage of Hotels, Transport Services, Tour Guides, Security Companies, Servicing Companies, Media, Eateries, engagement of people as volunteers or ad-hoc staff, souvenir marketing, increase in printing activities, promotion of friendship, creation of business opportunities and promotion of peace. All these can be achieved if the right people that understand the business of sport management can be allowed to be appointed to do their job with the needed support from the government
It is not too late for any State Government to decide to develop Sport and appropriately fund the sector for the benefit of the State and its Citizens. We need to see the benefits of taking the business of sport seriously because it has the capacity to create jobs for all. The need to stop Sport Management Nepotism is now if we must get it right, Sport Management appointment is not to be used to satisfy political permutations it should be given its rightful place which is a professional area that requires those with prerequisite expertise in its management.
Sport Management is a professional area that requires people that are specifically trained in this area. There is therefore the need for us to make sure that all those to be appointed into strategic sport management roles including sport committee’s are qualified to be so appointed. Sport Management appointment should not be used as a rehabilitation tool to satisfy political cronies. I wish to appeal therefore to all State Government in Nigeria to please invest in sport and to also not hesitate in ensuring that only professionals are engaged in the management of sport in their States so as to be able to enjoy the true return on such investment.
