By  Philips Adefioye
Former President of the Athletics  Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Dan Ngerem, has said there are nothing on ground to show that Nigeria is ready to win medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games despite claims that nine athletes have been given scholarships.

“In terms of preparations for the 2012 Olympics  in London, only Nigeria has fallen short of good preparation. There is a maximum of eight years and a minimum of four years for preparation for the Olympics. When things are no more working the way it should, that is when we will be clamouring for the spirit of Nigeria.

“How would you want your athletes to perform when there is no trials for them to sharpen their minds ahead of the quadrennial games, no Grand prix nor IAAF event  to take part in. When last did you see the green –white-green colours on the track and field events in IAAF competitions,” he asked.

Ngerem said the only thing that can save the country from being disgraced at the  London 2012 Olympics is for the National Sports Commission, NSC, to roll out a camping programme for the athletes who will take part in the London Olympics and the All African Games slated for Maputo in Mozambique.

Ngerem emphasised that intensive camping programme and participation of the athletes in some major IAAF sanctioned events is the only way the country can have her breakthrough in the next Olympics.

He hinted that the All African Games in Maputo will be a major litmus test if all will be well for Team Nigeria at the London Games.

“The only way the country will not be disgraced at the next summer Olympics Games in London is to have an intensive training programmes for the athletes, register them to participate in some of the IAAF sanctioned events, make necessary provision for the athletes  to pay their trainers, doctors, physiotherapists and as well as monitor their performance.

“The time is too short to prepare for competitions like the Olympics. It takes a maximum eight years and a minimum four years to prepare for events like the Olympics but look at us we have not even started preparations.

NIGERIA’S HOPE... Nigeria’s current highest rated athlete, Blessing Okagbare, takes off from the block during a competition. Ngerem says she and other athletes are not getting the best of preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games in London

“That simply shows planlessness and at the last minute we will start pumping billions of naira which we believe will salvage the situation. What ought to be done in the beginning is always what is left for the last minute,” said Ngerem