2016 Olympics could be worse – Egbuchunam

President of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club,Barrister Sam Egbuchunam has predicted further doom for Team Nigeria  in the 2016 Olympics unless there was a change in the manner of sports administration in the country.

Speaking on the failure of Nigeria to pick a single medal at the London Olympics despite the boasts by officials of the National Sports Commission of “best [preparations ever”, Egbuchunam said, “the trend is that we never prepare for competitions. We don’t have a talent hunt system hence, no succession plan for our aging athletes.”

The club President said although he was not a soothsayer, he foresaw a very bleak future for Nigerian sports. “Okagbare came last in the women’s 100m race. That makes her the 8th best in the world. I don’t know if we could get one finalist in the next Olympics,”he said.

Egbuchunam insisted that for the country to successfully relaunch herself to prominence in international sports, “we must get back to effective schools sports system to discover young talents,  groom them and organise frequent competitions for the athletes.”

He frowned at the last minute ‘fire brigade’ approach adopted by sports officials in the training of athletes, pointing out that if smaller countries like Gabon, Mali,among others could produce medal winners, why not Nigeria.

“We are in a system that is flawed in many ways. Insincerity and corruption are the bane of our sports. The moment our administrators put away those vices, our sports will be back on track.”