BY JACOB AJOM

Former president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Dan Ngerem has frowned at what he termed as government’s lack of interest in the preparation of Nigerian athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Speaking with Sports Vanguard over the weekend, Ngerem lamented the selective patronage being accorded Olympic-bound athletes and called for “a level playing field,” if the country was to put up any meaningful outing in London.

“There is no preparation, whatsoever. What we are seeing now is selective patronage by the National Sports Commission because there are some athletes who are more important than others. Or how else do you want me to say of the amount of attention Chika Chukwumerije has been receiving from the NSC at the expense of other athletes who also qualified for the Olympics long before him. Is it because he is the son of a serving senator?” he asked, pointing out that Damola Osayomi, Blessing Okagbare among others qualified for the Olympics long before now, nothing has been done to prepare them for the games. “They have been given any modicum of support from the NSC,” Ngerem emphasised.

Ngerem said he considered  it was pathetic that Nigerian athletes had not started camping yet because there was no funds. “Because we depend on government for everything, Nigerian athletes cannot go to camp. They are waiting for billions to go to the Olympics whether the athletes are camped or not.”

Ngerem said the only panacea to the current financial crunch facing Nigerian sports was the reactivation of the Team Nigeria concept. “If we have that in place, preparation of athletes for major events will not depend on the availability of government funds.”

The renowned sports administrator expressed sadness that despite the slow build up to the games, Nigeria would still send a team to London.”We are waiting for billions from government. I feel we are just going there to participate; not for medals.”