You must improve, Alli tells Fasuba
The Punch in Nigeria
By Kazeem Busari, Published: Tuesday, 9 Mar 2010
Olusoji Fasuba
National long jump record holder, Yusuf Alli, has called on Africa‘s fastest man, Olusoji Fasuba, to improve on his performance before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in October.
Alli told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday that he was not happy that only three athletes would be representing the country at the World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar this month, blaming the poor implementation of athletics programmes for the situation.
Fasuba will not feature at the competition because he failed to meet the required standard.
Alli said, ”I think Fasuba still has a lot to offer Nigeria because he is still young and still has the hunger for more successes.
“It‘s too bad that he could not make the team to Doha but he should concentrate on improving on his time before the Commonwealth Games.”
Alli was confident Fasuba would bounce back from the setback if he worked harder.
He added that sponsorship from corporate organisations would help the sport in the country.
“If there had been regular athletic championships in the country, we would not have been in the position where we have to present just three athletes for a major competition. The lack of sponsorship of Nigerian sports has affected athletics a great deal.”
The 1990 Commonwealth gold medallist insisted the development of athletes was the solution to the problems of not having Nigerians on the world stage.
“We discovered new talents at the recent secondary schools relay meet in Lagos and the students will be ready for national competitions in less than two years if proper training is organised for them.
”It is good we have Nigerian athletes from America and Europe willing to fly the country‘s flag at major events but how many athletes can afford to go abroad for training and competition.”