Nigeria, the sporting toddler

Being born on October 1, Nigeria's Independence Day, used to bring a lot of excitement and pride to me.

I used to love it so much, each time I was asked for my date of birth. As I added another year on Thursday, which happened to be Nigeria's 49th independence anniversary, I didn't feel the need to celebrate.

The week started with millions of Nigerians fasting and praying for the nation and, for me, it was a time to reflect.

A time to reflect on how bad things have become in Nigeria and our sports.

The National Anthem says "...the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain, to serve with heart and might, one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity."

What about the National pledge? I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be FAITHFUL, LOYAL and HONEST... to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory...

Maybe somebody needs to spell it out to our leaders. As much as I have decided to join the millions of people praying and fasting for this nation, our leaders must help my unbelief and lack of faith in their ability to move Nigeria forward.

Yes, there is a lot to be thankful for after all the holy bible tells us to be thankful in every situation. We should be thankful that there are no natural disasters, no earthquakes, no Tsunamis, terrorism etc.

How can we be thankful when we are aware that all these things that are listed above have been replaced by lack of accountability, corruption, embezzlement, electoral fraud, nepotism etc?

The sports sector

Nigerians are frustrated. It is indeed painful to see that things are deteriorating by the day. From power failure to the comatose education sector, and then the sports sector. I think the situation in the sports sector is most unfortunate because there was a time when we were united in sports. In the days when we had dictators as leaders, when there was no freedom of speech, movement etc., one thing we had was sports. Football in particular. The Super Eagles were our pride and joy.

Back in the days, they were better than the bronze medallists that they have become at the continental championship (Nations Cup). Now the Super Chickens may not qualify for the world cup.

Was it not in 1996 that Chioma Ajunwa became the first Nigerian to win a gold medal and shortly after that, the U-23 team after beating Brazil and Argentina in the semi-final and final gave Nigeria the second gold medal in Atlanta? To think that this was under the dictatorial reign of Sani Abacha!

After the Eagles draw against the Tunisia in Abuja, more or less costing us the ticket to the 2010 world cup, we hoped that the U-20 would do us proud, but alas...

Could it be that our expectations of Samson Siasia were too high?

Not just football

Nigerian U-16 basketball team failed to qualify for the 2010 FIBA world championships. Nigeria has failed to win a single medal at the Athletics world championships since Sevilla '99.

What about the U-17 world cup? We are barely one month away and we do not know the team that is being "patched" together after more than half of the team failed the MRI tests.

We cannot continue to rely on divine intervention to get us out of the mess that we have found ourselves in. Do countries like England, Germany, U.S.A. and even Jamaica pray as much as we do? Yet they seem to be steadily forging ahead in their sports sector. It was just in 2008 that England didn't qualify for a major tournament but, as I write, they are on their way to South Africa. We cannot keep praying and not prepare and expect those who have worked hard, who are better prepared and more committed not to go through. How do we expect to thrive on a shaky foundation? God is not partial.

Way out

I don't think that the situation is irredeemable but we have to start by getting rid of the administrators who have no business being in sports; an administration that is polluted by untrustworthy and unpatriotic administrators.

We cannot let ourselves be buried alive by greedy and nepotistic bunch of idiots, who alongside stealing our wealth, have also stolen our simple dignity.

As I received heartfelt wishes from people and entertained comments like "independence baby", I just wasn't feeling that sense of pride and, like I said to a friend, I might as well have been born on "July the 4th..."

Enough is enough.