Professor Sadiq Abubakar, a former number one tennis player in Africa, has raised an alarm regarding Nigeria’s inadequate preparations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, with just one year remaining until the Games.

Abubakar, who competed in the 1988 Olympics, warned that if preparations are left to a few months before the competition, Nigeria will only participate in the Games without being a serious contender for medals.

He emphasized that while other nations have already started preparing for Paris 2024 immediately after the previous Olympics, Nigeria seems to be lagging behind in all sports except athletics, even in those where the country has a competitive advantage.

Abubakar stressed the need for national sports federations to identify elite athletes and commence preparations well in advance, attending local and international competitions to develop a competitive mindset.

He cited the example of boxing as a federation that needs better management and support from the ministry to ensure proper qualification for the Olympics.

Abubakar highlighted the challenges faced by basketball due to leadership problems and inadequate funding, emphasizing the urgent need to address the issues within these federations in order to progress effectively.