A renowned basketball promoter, Mr. Igoche Mark, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s sports architecture, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure, athlete welfare, quality coaching and adequate funding.
Mark, who initiated the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, praised the country’s abundance of talent but insisted that talent alone is insufficient for success.
Mark’s comments come on the heels of the Nigerian Paralympic team’s impressive performance at the Paris games, where they secured seven medals, including two gold, three silver, and two bronze.
The team were hosted by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House, where she rewarded the athletes with cash gifts: $20,000 for gold medalists, $10,000 for silver medalists, and $5,000 for bronze medalists.
Mark commended the First Lady’s gesture, describing it as a moral booster for the athletes. He also acknowledged the team’s remarkable achievement, noting that they have consistently been one of Nigeria’s most successful sporting delegations.
However, Mark emphasized that Nigeria’s sports sector requires a fundamental transformation to unlock its full potential. He advocated for increased government attention to sports infrastructure, including training facilities, high-performance centers, and medical facilities. Additionally, he stressed the need for better athlete welfare, quality coaching, and adequate funding.
“The Nigerian government must prioritize sports development, providing the necessary resources and support for our athletes to excel,” Mark said. “A total overhaul of our sports architecture is long overdue, and I hope that the government will take heed of this call.”
Mark’s sentiments echo the concerns of many sports enthusiasts and stakeholders in Nigeria, who have long advocated for improved investment in sports development. As the country looks to build on the success of its Paralympic team, Mark’s call for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s sports architecture resonates as a crucial step towards unlocking the country’s full sporting potential.
