This year’s edition of the Commonwealth Games – Gold Coast 2018 – is underway and Nigerian athletes have not failed to show to the world that indeed the nation has a lot to offer. 

With Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke representing Nigeria in the 100 metres men’s race, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in shot put, Bode Abiodun and Olajide Omotayo in the men’s table tennis, amongst others, there is a reinforcement of the fact that Nigeria has a lot of talents that have continued to struggle, notwithstanding the ‘unfavourable conditions’ – especially little or no support from the government. 

Apart from Ogunlewe who has shifted the attention of the world to Nigeria, finishing the 100 metres race in 10.19 seconds, Enekwechi put Nigeria on the medal table with a silver in shot put while Abiodun and Omotayo won silver in men’s table tennis. 

But a disturbing fact remains to be discussed and Idris Olorunnimbe, Group Chief Executive/Founder, Temple Management Company has pointed it out. 

Olorunnimbe advocates “increased attention to detail at international sporting events, an application of the governing rules to all participants regardless of whom they are or where they are from“. 

His words: “although the Nigerian government has undoubtedly failed in its duty to provide total support for our athletes, as Nigerians, we will not fail in our duty to bring to the fore matters that may jeopardise our athletes reaching their full potential. 

“We call on international governing bodies across all forms of sport to maintain fair play at all times and periodically review its rules where appropriate. Regrettably, despite the laudable achievements of most Nigerian and foreign athletes at international sporting events, cases of favouritism and bias towards specific athletes on the part of governing bodies and cheating on the part of athletes have been recorded. 

“For this reason, some may have lost confidence in the decisions these bodies take in specific cases. Sports is one of the last bastions of equality and fair play and when it falters, then it is truly a sorry sight.

“It is the application of this equality rule that guarantees a level playing field for every athlete, regardless of whom they are, thus giving every competitor a chance in the limelight. It is equally vital to reinforce the necessity for sports governing bodies to steer clear of favouritism, especially in the definition and enforcement of rules, springing from whatever existing personal or collective bias. Consequently, this is a call for a reawakening on the part of all concerned bodies and individuals to ensure our sporting games are free of avoidable and unnecessary behaviour that continue to take us several steps backward.” 

Omoleye Omoruyi

Omoleye Omoruyi… an apprentice web/game developer, novelist, sensitive to happenings in the world. Meet him @Lord_rickie on Twitter/Instagram