Corruption in Nigerian Sports.

Corruption has being the bane of Nigerian Sports and every rational person knows this. Our sports has failed to develop because it is always business as usual for the people in authority. The problem of corruption starts from the selection stage down to the final decision making process. Individuals merit are not considered but which sports personality settles better. No wonder everyone wants to be in the corridor of power but using that same power for the well being of the country is never the factor instead views, policies and white papers are swept under the carpet. Corruption is the Virus killing every facet of sports and the results are our dismal performance in competitions. Lately the situation has gotten worse that people who are meant to stand and stop this menace just turn the blind eye away from the issues. The result is the frequent crisis rocking our sports bodies which have brought serious embarrassment to the country. Lately sports men and women are being owed their benefits/entitlements, sports facilities are being compromised, no accountability of money given by corporate organizations and even the government. Bureaucratic bottleneck helps to stifle and destroy the system and the result is our sports men and women going out to represent other countries. The funds released by government are never enough and never get to the sports men and women on time and even when is done, many of the funds are always missing and never accounted for. Our sports men and women who have retired live below the poverty line and they are not allowed to express themselves and even take care of their families. The female folks are the worst heat as they have to do some unethical/ unprofessional actions just to have their way or for the officials to get them noticed and select them. Some Sporting Associations are moribund in nature with the lesser sports lacking in recognition.We have seen corrupt officials putting their family members in teams meant to travel all in order to earn some special allowance . The question in everyones lips now is how long will this problem steer on Nigeria's face ? I think it is high time we put square pegs in square holes and get the right people for the job. Government interference should be limited and if possible eliminated with sports managed in a professional way. Those who are involved know themselves enough of this rubbish as the gap between us and the developed countries where sports is well managed and transformed into a way of life and business is getting wider daily.