Sports
Paris Olympics: X-Raying Nigeria’s Disappointing Outing
In the words of American lyricist and essayist, Sylvia Pratt in her famous poem entitled Conversation Among the Ruined:”… which such blight wrought on our bankrupt estate; what ceremony of words can patch the havoc”.
It does appear that Nigerians cannot but join Sylvia Pratt to ask “What ceremony of words can patch the havoc” when viewed against the fact that Nigeria, a country of over two hundred million people cannot train up a handful of athletes to win laurels for the nation at Olympic Games.
It is no exaggeration that Nigeria did not win any medal of any colour or type, be it Gold, Silver or Bronze at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where Kenya, South Africa and Morocco won Laurels for their nations.
It may not be out of place to describe the experience in Paris not only as a sad commentary but appalling.
To this end, before the Theory of Decay sets in, it is pertinent to evaluate the performance of Nigeria visa vis known eurocentric dialects.
In the first place, the concept of Decay Theory or Theory of Decay is a psychological construct which simply means the wearing of memory with the passage of time.
Propounded and pioneered by a German Psychologist Herman Ebbinghaus in 1885, the Theory of Decay says that: Memory actually fades away to mere passage of time.
According to the German scholar: Information is less available for later retrieval as time passes and memory as well as memory strength wears away.
The Theory of Decay or Decay Theory has bearing with the Theory of Forgetting in Psychology and Interference Theory.
Some Critics have attributed Nigeria’s numerous challenges including the sphere of Sports to short memory span while some others trace it to abuse of memory span or complete inability to learn from past events to plan for the future.
Thus, Nigeria tends to repeat history at regular intervals as observed or experienced with Nigeria’s performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics where Nigeria did not win any medal.
With a sense of hindsight lovers of history can remember Eurocentric scholars with respect to recent development in global affairs including the field of Sports.
It would be recalled that more than one hundred and fifty years ago, German scholar George Hegal had argued that:” Africans were subhuman and the only way they could come to the lower rung on the ladder of humanity was to undergo slavery in Europe.”
The question to ask is;could it be true that Africans were or are subhumans?.
As if that was not enough another scholar Professor Trevor Roper in his 1963 inaugural Lecture asserted: “African Past is darkness and darkness cannot be subject for historical investigation”
The remarks of another European Scholar David Hume is no less derogatory too when he said “Africa has no ingenious Manufacture, no arts, no Science”.
Truly, these remarks were false and Ladden with Ignorance and pride.
For instance, in the Bible book of Romans Chapter 10:12 “For there is no difference between the Jews and the gentiles for the same Lord is Lord of all and richly bless all who call on him”.
While it is true that the European Scholars did not attribute those negative remarks to Nigerians alone, Nigerians should truly lead the crusade to correct them rather than conducting itself in a manner that seems to justify them.More so,Nigeria is seen as ‘Big-Brother’ in African diplomacy.
One cannot but remain startled that Nigeria either sought or accepted grains and other food items from war ravaged countries when Nigeria is not directly in war with any country but for poor management and gross ineptitude by the political class.
It is regrettable to observe that about five other Nigerians either won Laurels for other countries or played a key role with other nations that won medals as a team work.
For instance, Annette Echi Kunwoke won medal for the United States of America in Hammer throw a track and field event, Nisser Saliwa won Silver in women’s 400 metres for Bahrain.
It would be emphasized that Nasser Saliwa was born in Onitsha as EbeleChukwu Agbaopuwo of a Nigerian Woman but Bahrain father.
Records show that Yemisi Ogunleye won a medal in shot put for Germany.
Others are Michael Olise, a member of male U 23 football team of France and Samu Omorodion was part of U 23 Olympic football team for Spain.
Interestingly, succour came from the superlative performance of Rena Wakama-led Basket Ball team of Nigeria that beat Canada and Australia to earn quarterfinal slot for the first time in Olympic Games which in turn earn Nigeria Basket Ball team 8th place ranking in the world.
Rena Wakama, a US based rising star in coaching though from Wakama Okrika she was in the United states of America who had won Laurels for Rivers State and Nigerian by implication.
In the game of football,more than ninety percent of players ply their trade in European countries or in other nations before they may be invited to play for Nigeria and in other foreign competitions when other nations particularly Morocco, Egypt, Sudan and South Africa parades footballers in it’s local leagues as well as indigenous Coaches.
Today, the contract to engage Bruno Labadia, a German tactician, Jose Pesero and Ghenor Rohr had hit the rock
Nigeria could best be described as a nation that has exhibited deficiency and inefficiency in managing the domestic economy and infrastructural affairs, among others.
Worse still, from a critical Evaluation, Nigeria seems to Justify the Eurocentric notions that for any black nation or individual to excell or succeed in life they must migrate to Europe, USA, now China and Saudi Arabia and this is not fair indeed.
Nigeria must join other African Nations and their citizens to fight mediocrity, subservient, servitude, poor management and ineptitude to migrate to greatness to engender prosperity and Pride of a nation.Nigeria we hail thee!
The time to act is now.
Baridorn Sika
Baridorn Sika is a public affairs analyst.
Sports
Kenya Keeper Under Investigation For Match-Fixing
The Kenya Football Federation (FKF) has launched an investigation into allegations that goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been involved in match manipulation.
The 37-year-old, who plays for Kenyan Premier League club Kakamega Homeboyz, has won over 30 international caps.
His most recent appearance for the Harambee Stars came in October last year, in a qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
An undated video posted online appears to show Matasi agreeing a deal to influence the outcome of a league game.
“I have spoken to him. He was also shocked at what he was seeing in the video and he told me he doesn’t know about match-fixing,” Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula told Tidesports source .
The FKF said it would work with world governing body Fifa, the Confederation of African Football and other “relevant authorities” during its investigation.
“We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competitions,” a statement added.
“This investigation will adhere to FKF’s anti-match manipulation regulations and Fifa guidelines, ensuring a fair, transparent, and thorough process.
“The rights of the player and his club will be respected, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.”
Shimanyula backed Matasi, pointing to the fact the veteran has kept three clean sheets in as many games since joining the club a month ago.
“When we watched this video, we found that Matasi has not wronged the club,” he said.
“In a video there can misinterpretations and false narratives and we cannot trust everything.
“He will keep playing for us because there’s no wrongdoing on his part as far as we are concerned – unless there’s evidence or the FKF writes to us to say they are suspecting the player of some wrongdoing.
“He is innocent until proven guilty and then we will act.”
The FKF has called on anyone with credible information to assist its investigation, with any reports to be handled with strict confidentiality.
Shimanyula also challenged the Kenyan footballing community to provide evidence against Matasi.
“Kakamega Homeboyz is against any form of match manipulation,” he said.
Sports
UEFA Probes Real Players Over Indecent Conduct
Uefa has opened an investigation into allegations of indecent conduct by four Real Madrid players during their Champions League last-16 win against Atletico Madrid.
Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos allegedly made gestures towards the home fans after Real Madrid beat their city rivals on penalties to book their place in the quarter-finals.
TV pictures showed German defender Rudiger appearing to make a throat-slitting motion, apparently towards the crowd after the shootout victory, while Mbappe was shown seemingly making a crotch-grabbing gesture.
Spanish media said Atletico reported the actions to Uefa last week.
The players could be at risk of suspension but there is no guarantee the case will be heard before their quarter-final with Arsenal. The first leg for that tie is at Emirates Stadium on 8 April and the return leg a week later.
In a statement, Uefa said: “[An] ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct” made by the four Real Madrid players.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
Sports
EPL To Have Two Transfer Windows
The Premier League has announced it will have two transfer windows this summer to allow Manchester City and Chelsea to sign players before the Club World Cup.
The window will open between Sunday, 1 June and Tuesday, 10 June, then close for five days before running again from Monday, 16 June until Monday, 1 September.
This summer features the first expanded Fifa Club World Cup, which involves 32 teams and adopts the format of the regular World Cup of the past few years.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the Premier League teams in the tournament which takes place in the United States from Sunday, 15 June.
But the Premier League can only have 12 weeks of a summer window – hence the five-day break in order to run it until 1 September.
Fifa has allowed new players to be registered for the Club World Cup from 1-10 June, and again from 27 June-3 July for the knockout stage.
This is happening firstly, to bring order to the global registration system, world governing body Fifa only permits the transfer window in any individual country to be open for 16 weeks in any calendar year.
In Europe, precedent dictates four of those weeks are for the winter window, leaving 12 in the summer. In 2024, the Premier League transfer window opened on 14 June and closed on 30 August.