Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, has declared that the poor welfare package is the bane of the country’s athletes. the punch reports.
The former Nigerian track and field athlete in a conversation with our correspondent blamed the Nigerian Athletics Federation for not prioritizing the welfare of athletes, noting that the country is blessed with plenty of talents.
He further said that most Nigerian athletes prefer to represent other countries where they will be properly looked after while competing.
“I think there is no need for them to tell the government to take care of the Nigerians who have invested so much in the country,” Ajunwa said. the punch.
“Some of these athletes don’t have a job because they represent Nigeria and when they withdraw, they’re on their own, even when they’re sick, you need to appeal to the government before they respond.
“That’s why most of our athletes don’t play sports, they engage in fraudulent activities on the internet to make money. If the government is rewarding athletes very well, many of them will channel their energy into sport because something good is coming out of it.
“I will advise the government to look in that direction, if we want to reduce crime in our society, sports should be a very important tool to do it.
“If we are compensating our athletes well, giving them scholarships, and taking care of their well-being and health, many of them will dedicate themselves to the sport full time.”
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