The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, extends his apologies to Nigerians following Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country failed to secure any medals.
Nigeria concluded its participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, without achieving a single medal. The last hope for a medal for Nigeria, Hannah Reuben, was defeated in the second-round fight in the women’s freestyle wrestling 76kg, losing 5-2 (victory by points) to Mongolia’s Davaanasan Amar Enkh.
In a statement personally issued on Saturday, Enoh acknowledged the underperformance and expressed his regret: “The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, have concluded, and it is evident that our performance fell short of our objectives, expectations, and the hopes of Nigerians. I take responsibility for this outcome and offer my sincere apologies to our fellow citizens as we reflect on our shortcomings and look ahead to the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 (August 28–September 8th)."
“When I assumed office as the Minister of Sports Development in August 2023, I was faced with the challenge of executing four international competitions within a short time frame: the AFCON, the African Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was brought to my attention that countries typically require at least four years to prepare for the Olympic Games, a fact I recognized despite the limited time available. Discussions with the Ministry's management revealed that preparations for the Olympics, less than a year away, had not commenced.
“In the spirit of Nigeria, we were determined to uphold our country’s international sports image, aspiring to replicate the performance of Atlanta 1996, if not surpass it. To this end, we adopted a progressive approach to elevate the performance of our athletes and coaches. I initiated a comprehensive review of the plans and programs of all National Sports Federations within my first week in office and conducted nationwide inspections of our sports facilities.
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Federation, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ensured that funding was not a limiting factor. Competition requirements for athletes were fulfilled, allowances were disbursed promptly, and training grants were provided to all athletes. I made myself readily available to address any issues throughout the competition. Hence, the subpar performance of our team is perplexing and necessitates an explanation to the Nigerian people.
“There are undoubtedly a multitude of lessons to be derived from our performance, and improvements must be implemented in all aspects. The last time we returned from the Olympics without a medal was in 2012. Subsequently, we achieved a bronze medal in 2016 and a silver and bronze in the 2020 Olympics. As a nation, we aspire to accomplish more. Let us transform the disappointing outcome of the 2024 Olympics into a significant opportunity for the advancement of Nigerian sports.”