EMBARRASSING! SOUTH AFRICA NIPS 20 GOLDS, NIGERIA 1

By Tony Ubani, Maputo
South Africa has taken unassailable lead in the ongoing All Africa Games here in Maputo, Mozambique.

They have already garnaered 20 gold medals while Nigeria is in a distant position of 8th with just one gold, an indication of the deplorable state of sports in the country.

Let the Games begin••• Nigerian athletes file out during the opening of the 10th All-Africa Games in Maputo weekend (September 3, 2011) after President of Mozambique Armando Guebuza opened the games at Zimpeto National Stadium. Mozambique are expecting 5,000 men and women from 48 countries to compete in 24 sports. AFP PHOTO

House Committee member of Sports in the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Godfrey Gaya who is watching the games is already fuming over Nigeria's performance so far.has expressed his displeasure over the performance.

Gaya frowned yesterday after he took a look at the medals table and discovered Team Nigeria perched on the 8th position with 1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals against South Africa's 20 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze medals.

'I'm not impressed with their performance but under the prevailing circumstance we find ourselves, there is nothing we can do.

It is too early, though, but we hope they rise up to the top', the soft-spoken Gaya said moments after Sports Minister Alhaji Suleiman briefed the Press on the performance of Team Nigeria so far at the Games.

The Honourable member acknowledged difficulties that litter in Maputo but lashed on officials who have continued to over-use athletes who have over stayed their welcome in sports.

'It baffles me to see that some Nigerian athletes have attended four to five All Africa Games and are still participating in the Games here. Its even more ridiculous when you know that the Games hold once every four years.

You can see why they are not doing well compared to the young ones being paraded by other countries. There is no other way to develop our sports other than embracing grassroots and discovering fresh talents', Gaya said.