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Lack of Motivation From FCTA May Hamper Team FCT Preps For 2020 NSF

Published

6 years ago

November 29, 2019

If nothing tangible is not put in place for the Athletes that will represent the Federal Capital Territory at the forthcomg 2020 National Sports Festival in Edo, state, the team FCT may take the back position.

It is no longer news that Team FCT in the past two national sporting events, broke records as they achieved their best podium finishes in two different national sporting events.

But as for the case of the forthcoming event in Edo, there is no preparation insight as FCT Administration is yet to approve fund for the athletes to start preparation.

First was at the 2018 National Sports Festival, NSF hosted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports at the FCT, Abuja.

Team FCT recorded a podium finsh of 7th, the best ever record it has attained in the festival.

In 2019, the younger athletes followed the path of their elder ones by recording a podium finish of 9th at the recently concluded 5th National Youth Games, NYG in Ilorin, Kwara state.

These two podium finishes placed FCT as the best sporting state in the entire northern zones of the country.

Ordinarily, one had expected that the Team FCT athletes or rather contingents to these two national sporting events should be treated as heroes and heroines. Unfortunately, this was never to be.

While other states which did not measure up to Team FCT’s heroics accorded their contingents befitting recognition, the Minister of FCT has decided to ignore, abando and neglect theses great achievers.

Facts emerged that Team FCT at the events were the most neglected and least motivated side. And this was made possible by no less a scenario than lack of release of funds by the FCT Minister.

Like Michael Phelps pointed out, these athletes faced obstacles. People doubted them but with hard work, they hard no limits in what they achieved.

Faced with this total neglect by the FCT minister, Mohammed Bello, who had won the Best Minister Award recently in the country due to his prudence in managing resources and returning unspent budgets to the federal coffers, many of the athletes who represented Team FCT at the two competitions have switched allegiance to other states.

FCT has for the past few year lost over 30 athletes to other states due primarily to lack of motivation and the inability of the FCT ministry to apply reward system for the athletes.

Some of these athletes who spoke over the development were full of regrets for “wasting their time” with Team FCT.

One of the athletes who currently competes for Delta state after leaving FCT in 2018, was furious over the neglect he suffered while competing for Team FCT.

He explained that the two states – Delta and FCT cannot be compared with when it comes to taking care of athletes’ welfare both during and after competitions.

“To be honest with you, I wasted my time competing for Team FCT. They do not know anything about reward system. Reward system is most effective in sports and any administrator who fails to implement this policy does not want his athletes to succeed.

“I competed for Team FCT from the National Youth Games to the National Sports Festival but the motivation was never there. They do not motivate their athletes.

“In most of the competitions, funds meant for them were released weeks after the competitions. Athletes are not taken care of. They compete hungry, abandoned and most times the minister does not see the need to host these athletes after events.

“How do you want them to perform for you in the next edition? This is not acceptable.

“I switched to competing for Delta because I lost interest in representing Team FCT year in, year out yet without recognition.

“What will it cost the FCT minister to host the athletes who did wonderfully well at the NSF and NYG respectively and appreciate them for their efforts?

“Sports is an investment and if you are not ready to invest heavily, you will never be there. That is why you cannot compare Delta State with FCT when it comes to investment and athletes’ welfare.

“Delta won the NSF in Abuja last year they also won the NYG in Ilorin this year and going by the way they are taking care of their athletes, no state will challenge them in Edo next year, ” he said.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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