Following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, there have been ongoing criticisms and questions about why Nigeria’s medal hopeful sports were unsuccessful.

Many believe that the funding and budget allocated for the tournament were insufficient, despite reports of good training facilities and environment for the athletes upon arrival in Paris.

Comparing the budgets, Team USA spent $230 million (368 billion naira) in preparation, while France allocated over $125 million (200 billion naira) to improve the salaries and preparation of around 1,000 athletes with the best chances of success at the Olympics.

Nicole Enabosi, Murjanatu Musa and A´ja Wilson battle for the ball during the Women’s Basketball Quarterfinal match of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Coach of Nigeria’s wrestling team, Purity Akuh, shared his perspective on the issue, confirming that while all payments due to Team Nigeria for the Olympics were disbursed, it simply wasn’t enough.

He criticized the poor planning, pointing out the importance of early and consistent preparation, stating that Olympic preparation should span four years, not just a few weeks.

“We received all our allowances, all our benefits,” Akuh said. “But I want to use this medium to inform the public that the amount given to Team Nigeria was maybe around 12 billion naira for local preparation, offshore camping, and Paris.

“But I can assure you, the money is not enough. Although we were not shortchanged, we were paid everything that we needed.”

“It’s not about when we have three weeks camping or when we have four weeks camping. Preparation is about four years,” he explained.

He also highlighted the vast difference in investment between Nigeria and other nations, such as the United States and Australia.

“If you have to investigate how many billions, millions of dollars the US team has used to prepare for the Paris Olympic Games. So, like Australia too, and nations like that, China, you see how much they have prepared.”

“Los Angeles is just 2028, and I feel Nigeria will do well,” he said. He urged the country to focus on grassroots development.

“We need to bring back sports to our schools, we need to bring back sports to universities, and we need to expose our young athletes to international competition. I think with that, Nigeria can compete with the rest of the world.”