Iloh Wants Revolution In Nigerian Sports

Former President of the Nigeria Cycling Federation, NCF, Moses Iloh, has said that it is only revolution that will rescue Nigerian sports from its present quagmire.

Speaking Monday on the topic “2012 London Olympic Games: Whither Nigeria?” at a Town Hall meeting organised by the National League of Veteran Journalists, NLVJ at the National Stadium, Lagos, Iloh charged the athletes to be ready to call the government to order.

“The way forward is for the athletes to claim what belongs to them from the government. They don’t have to be violent about it. But they must realise that nothing will change unless they stand up for their right,” said Iloh.

He said: “The athletes must be ready to occupy the whole of Surulere in order to force the government to listen to their plight. The government cannot continue to disregard them because they are very important to the country.”

The 82-year-old sports administrator said that Nigerian athletes must force government to be more transparent in its activities as a way of tackling corruption which is the bane of Nigerian sports.

“Nigerian athletes need to ask the government for the programme it has for them. It is their right to know the amount of money allocated for sports in the country. They need to make the government realise that it is there to serve them,” said Iloh.

Iloh opined that sports is a unifying factor for entire Nigerians and should be revived from its present situation.

“Sports is a powerful unifying factor among Nigerians. My concern is why we want to destroy that powerful factor of unity. It is sadden how the Federal Government is handling sports in this country,” Iloh said.

Among the dignitaries who graced the event included the former chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Dr. Shuiab Gara-Gombe, former chairman of Gombe United F.C., Otunba Eddie Aderinokun, NLVJ president, and Chief Segun Odegbami (MON).

—Bimbo Ajayi