By Ben Efe

Veteran Nigerian Olympian, Sam Igun has declared that for there to be another boom in sports in the country, all efforts should be made to reviving school sports.

Igun, a jumper was among the first set of Nigerian athletes that participated at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy and then followed up with other appearances in Tokyo, Japan 1964, Mexico 1968 and Munich, Germany in 1972.

He stated that though there was modern infrastructure in Nigeria today, there has not been a commensurate performance from Nigerian athletes compared to his days when there were no tracks and other equipment for them to use.

Igun who was born and breed in Warri, Delta hosts of the maiden African Youth Athletics championships said athletics development has taken a nose dive because school sports have been neglected.

“From what I have seen here at the AYAC I know that we have a lot to do, if we are to make these boys and girls future champions.

“Grassroots development now is different from what we have then. It was Games masters that brought us to national schools competitions. But now you see national coaches coming with the athletes.

“We have to revert to the way we use to organize school sports in Nigeria. We have so many talents in the country and if we don’t give them the opportunity to express themselves, then it will all come to a waste,” said Igun who is in his late 70’s and still looking agile.