Nigeria’s big wins in football and basketball have brought back the conversation about building sports from the ground up.
In July, the Super Falcons won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for a record 10th time. Soon after, the D’Tigress claimed their seventh FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title. These victories boosted national pride and showed the country’s strength in African sports.
Sports lovers say the success should not be limited to football and basketball. They want other sports like boxing, swimming, and tennis to get more investment, equipment, and competitions, especially at the grassroots level where young talent can grow.
Experts such as Dehinde Ogunbiyi from the Lagos State Basketball Association say grassroots sports mean more than just playing — it’s about training young athletes, building facilities, and organising regular tournaments. Without this, Nigeria will rely on lucky bursts of talent instead of having a steady stream of champions.
Boxing chief Dr. Rafiu Ladipo agrees, stressing that coaches need modern training, and sports must be equally supported so no talent is wasted.
Sports analyst Raymond Nwabuda warns that focusing too much on football hurts other sports. He calls for fair funding and policies that benefit all disciplines, saying a variety of thriving sports will help health, jobs, and community spirit.
All the experts agree: to succeed long-term, Nigeria needs a clear plan for spotting talent early, proper training, good facilities, and strong management. With its large youth population, Nigeria has the potential to match the best in the world — but only if the same winning formula is applied to all sports.