“Nigerians Join Sports That Require No Investment” – Seun Kuti
Written by MAX FM on August 13, 2024
Nigerian singer Seun Kuti has sharply criticized the Nigerian government for its failure to invest in sports. He highlighted the country’s poor performance in the recent Olympics and emphasized the lack of opportunities for Nigerian athletes.
In an Instagram video, Kuti pointed out that Nigeria only competed in sports that required minimal investment, like running, and ignored sports that needed more equipment and funding.
“I watched the Olympics and saw how poorly we did. We only participated in sports that were cheap and easy, like running. We didn’t show up in sports that need more gear,” Kuti said.
He noted that Nigerian athletes excelled in track and field because running is inexpensive, but the country lacked representation in sports that require expensive equipment, such as basketball and tennis.
Kuti suggested that the Nigerian government should create and fund sports leagues and offer substantial prizes to attract and support athletes. He argued that Nigerians have a strong interest in various sports and would benefit from increased investment.
“Creating a well-funded sports league and offering prizes like $25 million would be a great step. We need to invest at least $1 million annually, similar to what athletes earn in Europe,” Kuti proposed.
He also criticized the lack of support for Nigerian talent, which he believes drives many athletes to represent other countries. Kuti stressed that proper investment in sports could help nurture and retain local talent.
“Many talented Nigerians end up representing other countries because we don’t support them at home. Investing in sports like gymnastics could help our young talent thrive and make a mark,” Kuti concluded.
