Olympics: Jonathan wants sports overhaul

2012-08-16 14:14

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. (AFP)

Abuja - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a sports overhaul after the country failed to win any Olympic medals, a performance that drew jeers and criticism in Africa's most populous nation.

The London Olympics marked the first time in more than 20 years that Nigeria returned home without a single medal. The country has previously won medals in events in track and field as well as boxing, football and others.

Jonathan ordered a "total and comprehensive re-organisation of the sporting sector following the disappointing performances of the Nigerian contingent to the London 2012 Olympics," Information Minister Labaran Maku said on Wednesday after a weekly cabinet meeting.

The president called for a national meeting that would also include the private sector, Maku said. The minister did not give details of what measures the government intended to take.

He said the London debacle should be the beginning of "a new momentum to place Nigerian sports at a level that will enable this country to return to the glory it is known for in the areas of sports".

In the wake of the country's poor performance in the 2010 football World Cup, Nigeria slapped a two-year ban from international competition on the squad. It later rescinded the ban under pressure from world governing body FIFA.

Sports has suffered from mismanagement in the country, which is Africa's largest oil producer but has been plagued by corruption.

- AFP