President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho has urged a shift in focus from the 2028 Olympic Games to long-term preparations for 2032, citing Nigeria’s lack of readiness and the fierce competition.

“I think it’s too late to start preparing for the next Olympic Games,” Ocheho remarked.

Team Norway, Team Nigeria and Team Niger during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games near the Trocadero in Paris. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

“The North African countries are very strong. Egypt is among the top six teams in the world, and it’s only one slot for Africa. So we need to start afresh.”

Ocheho didn’t mince words when addressing the challenges facing Nigerian sports, highlighting a lack of concrete actions and the persistent issue of funding.

“The way the government currently treats federations like stepchildren, I don’t know how we’re ever going to get there. Unless federations on their own start looking out and getting funding to sponsor national teams. I think it’s a bad situation currently. I just think we’re wasting our time.”

He expressed frustration over the gap between talk and action in Nigerian sports. “We only talk sports, we don’t really have any plan to actually practice what we talk about.

“For years, it’s all been talk, talk, talk, talk. You show me what is on ground to show that we are serious nation in the regarding sport. I don’t see. So I wish whoever is there in eight years time all the very best.” Ocheho concluded.

Ocheho’s candid assessment underscores the urgent need for a strategic overhaul in Nigerian sports if the country is to make a meaningful impact on the global stage in the years to come.