Sporting activities in Nigeria sports have been in hiatus since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in the country in March. The country is one of the most hit in Africa having recorded almost 30,000 cases while over 600 lives have been lost to the pandemic.
THESE are indeed difficult moments for sports in Nigeria facing one of its daunting challenges. Coronavirus has affected sports like other facet of life but nothing can be compared with its effect in history. Usually when there are significant world events, sports serves as a distraction and unifying platform for diverse people. It is arguably the umbilical cord that binds Nigerians together, its magnificent waxing power makes sports a powerful communication tool for unity and love globally.
TODAY, sports has emerged an important component of socio-economic development of any country. The active participation in sports improves community health and productivity, raises discipline in character, generates great leaders and enhances social cohesion. We notice the nation’s mood when Nigeria won AFCON in 2015, Olympic football gold and qualified for 2018 World Cup and many other sporting events throughout history.
IN this pandemic, sports is the central part of the story, the virus easily spreads in large crowd and it may be months, if not years, before people feel comfortable attending sporting events in Nigeria.
IN bewilderment of the impact of coronavirus pandemic on sports in Nigeria , the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare said: ” The sports economy is mostly cyclical and the COVID-19 pandemic has majorly brought the sector to a halt, affecting stakeholders and reducing investment in critical infrastructure”
HE added, ” As much as $65billion has been lost as a result of postponement and cancellation of several major events and leagues across the world”.
THIS monumental waste has put paid to the participation of Nigeria in Olympic games to be hosted in Japan, AFCON games for the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, Under 17 World Cup, Junior Athletics games, National Sports Festival, World Cup qualifiers for men and women national teams and several others sporting events.
THE glamorous sporting event in Nigeria, football organized by the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, has been suspended, no thanks to COVID-19, and as today, this action has polarized the stakeholders in sports, with one arguing that the league should be completed as it was before the pandemic while other group insists that it would be unjust and unfair to end the league mid way, for teams on the relegation zone could still battle their way out. This school of thought was of the opinion that since football leagues have resumed in Germany, Spain and England, the major leagues in the world including Nigeria too should follow such steps.
IT is therefore the candid view of The Hope that stakeholders and sports administrators should take cognizance of the lives of the players and officials who earn their living on the physical activity. This we submit should be paramount in arriving at solution to this matter. Every machinery should be put in place to curtail anything that fester the spread of the virus.
AGAIN, the Sports Minister and stakeholders in sports should begin to think outside the box on how to prepare for post COVID-19 period, so that, we will not lag behind. It gladdens Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in collaboration with a group is already thinking of recovery preparations, this to The Hope is a welcome development. It will make the sector rebound for economic growth after the pandemic.
IN addition to this, the Nigeria’s sports sector should leverage on the unique circumstances and challenges posed by the pandemic as an opportunity to rethink policy direction, innovate and reassess priorities in the long run, which are in line with the four thematic areas of incentives, investment, infrastructure and policy.
FINALLY, the present crisis must be an opportunity to weave a new fabric for sports in the society that is business focused and private sector driven, while also showcasing an opportunity for the country to review the role of sports industry from a passive sector to a revenue contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.