Nigerian sprinting icon Deji Aliu has urged the nation to overhaul its approach to athletics by investing in infrastructure and development to maximise the abundant talent available across the country.
Speaking at the MTN Champs Season 3 press conference in Lagos, Aliu described the nation’s athletic potential as vast, yet constrained by inadequate facilities and systemic inefficiencies.
As one of the coaches at the MTN Champs Academy, Aliu responded to questions about Nigeria’s recent performance in sprinting and track and field events, stating: “We need to go back to the drawing board and get development done properly.” Reflecting on his era, he highlighted the hunger and determination that characterised athletes of his time. “During our time, everyone was genuinely hungry. Everyone wanted to be the best. But it’s not the same now. We need to motivate them and ensure they do what is necessary,” he remarked.
Aliu praised MTN’s efforts in nurturing young athletes through its academy, describing the initiative as a “new dawn” for Nigerian athletics. He pointed to the rapid progress achieved by some athletes as clear evidence of the nation’s potential. “To see someone go from running 51 seconds to 48 seconds in six months—that’s world-class progress,” he said.
However, Aliu did not shy away from addressing the shortcomings in Nigeria’s athletic infrastructure. “What we currently have in Nigeria, in terms of facilities, is nothing to write home about. If we want to truly compete globally, we need to upgrade our facilities, bring in more coaches, and provide incentives to encourage athletes and their trainers,” he stated.
Aliu dismissed any doubts concerning Nigeria’s talent pool. “The talent in this country is unimaginable. Go anywhere, and you’ll be shocked by the raw potential you encounter,” he asserted. Yet, he cautioned that talent alone is insufficient without the necessary systems to nurture it.
“The problem lies in the factory—the facilities and systems to produce athletes aren’t there. Until we fix the factory, our talent will remain untapped,” Aliu concluded, calling for urgent action to address this critical gap.
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