Big Sports Dialogue 0.1: FIRS Broadcast Media Officer, Atoyebi wants technocrats to run Nigerian sports
Photo : Atoyebi ( 2nd left in glasses) in a group photograph with other members of her panel
The Technical/Assistant, Broadcast Media, FIRS Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi has advocated appointing technocrats to run the country’s sports; saying that’s the only solution to the dwindling fortune of the sector.
She made her opinion known during the just concluded maiden Big Sports Dialogue 0.1, held on Monday November, 24 at the Villa Doom, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Atoyebi who was one of the panelists at the event that attracted sports administrators, key stakeholders and media practitioners to brainstorm on the dwindling form of the country’s sports, identified lack of technocrats at the helm of affairs and poor infrastructure as the main problem confronting the sector , noting that once these issues are critically addressed, things will take it’s normal shape.
” I have said it on many occasions , that not until such a time technocrats are appointed to run all the sports federations, things will not improve.
“When you appoint technocrats, they will come up with blueprints on how to turn things around and be ready to implement it and also be accountable to the people because accountability is a major factor.
“The issue of infrastructural
decay must also be tackled head on because without proper infrastructure, our sports can never witness transformation as is done in other climes”, she stressed.
Atoyebi was particularly not happy that female sports is always relegated to the background not minding the laurels they have won for the country and called for a change of attitude
” It’s really unfortunate that female sports in the country is not accorded the proper attention it deserves. When you check the records, you’ll discover that our women have won more laurels for this country than the men but not minding these achievements, they’re not getting the required attention they deserve”, she lamented.
On her impression about the dialogue, she commended the organisers and expressed hope that by the time the second edition is held, there will be concrete evidence to show that most of the recommendations are being implemented.
