Bada keeps 'oldies' for greater tomorrow

Ex-international and now Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN Sunday Bada wants the adoptation of the old saying not to "kill the goose that lay the golden eggs" in ensuring that, the country's hope and aspiration of bouncing back on Fields and Tracks in international competitions, remain bright and realizable.

Bada, who is now a senior Nigeria Police officer in an interview with nigeriasports.com in Lagos, agreed that, the country did not do well at the just-concluded Melbourne Commonwealth Games in Australia. But the towering cop was fast at adding that, "this does not mean that, we should castigate our sportsmen and women to the Games."

"One thing about us in this country is that, we hurry to critisize our athletes, when their performances are low. We fail to ask questions as to why and how. We condemn especially the older athletes; and fail to realize that, time was, when they were there for the nation; and that, we need them to bring up the younger athletes.

"At 40, athletes from other nations are still performing very well; but here, at 35, we conclude that they are old. We need the synchrozition of both the young and old to bring up top class performances at such international Meets as the Commonwealth and the Olympics."

He however, advised those who feel that, they can no longer meet the pace of the current athletic speed, to "perhaps move to the lower global wrung of the game or look elsewhere for livelihood.

The former springstar further told nigeriasports.com of the long list of activities scheduled by the country's athletics federation aimed at ensuring that, things get better for both athletes and the country.

"As an ex-international, I do appreciate problems facing our athletes; and now that I am the Technical Director of the federation, I should be able to address them. We do know for instance, that it is unfair to rule-out our athletes if they do not meet our expectations in a given Meet.

At the same time, we do know that throwing them away for such, is not the best way of addressing the issue."At the last Commonwealth Games in Australia, our athletes did not perform well. But then, we were able to identify the areas where the faults lie.

We observed that, there are potential world-beaters in our athletics; or better put, athletes who could make bolder statements at future competitions. So, it is our duties to ensure that we assist them in the best ways we can for better results," the police officer explained.

"Our athletes' not too encouraging performances at the Games should not be blamed on them. I must say that, there were no adequate preparation and of course, their welfare should also be looked into and properly addressed. All these are what we have in the pipeline for better outings next time around."

For teasers, Bada unfolded one of the "many activities his federation has in stock for the "better performances from our athletes in future competitions." He fingered an international competition coming up soon in Nigeria.

"Already, plans have reached advanced stages to host an African Grand Prix in Abuja in May,2006. The Athletics Grand Prix is under the aupices of the Confederation of African Athletics and top class athletes from all over the world are expected to participate at the Grand Prix.

" This is saying that, our athletes would, as a matter of fact, be in constant top shape to face such global challenges...and that speaks volumes of our desire to ensure good care for them," Sunday Bada told us.