Lagos — THE shambolic state of our sports was brought to the fore penultimate week with the claim by Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Abdulrahman Gimba, that the body must be reorganised for sports to make the expected progress.

Gimba told the Senate Committee on Sports and Social Development investigating the shoddy performance of the Super Eagles at the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, that key officials of the NSC had so far failed to live up to expectations.

Specifically, the minister who has reportedly written the Presidency for permission to effect the proposed changes in the commission, believes his immediate lieutenants are the problem with Nigerian sports and wants them removed or redeployed.The massive crisis of confidence between Gimba and his top shots led by the Director-General of the NSC, Dr. Amos Adamu, also saw both parties take conflicting positions on the National Sports Commission Bill 2008.

Unprecedented as Gimba's move is, it raises certain fundamental questions, major among which is why it took him so long to realise that those saddled with the responsibility of supervising our sports are the same people allegedly sabotaging it. No doubt, this is a grave allegation. And unless Gimba is frivolous, it should be taken seriously by Nigerians.

As the political head, the buck stops at the minister's table. It is expected that as the eye of the President in the commission, it behoves him to ensure that set goals are met. However, Gimba must present evidence to support his allegation. We say so because the officials in question are believed in some quarters to be among the best in the land. Gimba's explanation that the planned reorganisation of the NSC is among other things to meet a major condition for a N1.5bn sponsorship deal with a bank, is far from convincing.

But beyond this and more worrying, is the fact that the face-off between the nation's key sports administrators is beginning to take its toll on sports. Indeed, it couldn't have come at a more unfavourable time, with the Beijing 2008 Olympics barely two months away. Already, reports have it that fear of failure has descended on the various camps of Team Nigeria with athletes and officials unsure of the next stage of preparations.

For a country that kicked off preparations for the Olympics almost belatedly, the ongoing crisis is an unnecessary distraction and could rubbish attempts at making up for lost ground. At the risk of sounding unpatriotic, we make bold to say the divided house at the NSC portends monumental failure in Beijing. Besides having top quality athletes who are primed to compete favourably with the best, success at the Olympics requires meticulous preparation. Thus, it remains to be seen if the country's contingent to Beijing 2008, would achieve President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's mandate of eight gold medals.

Given the relationship between the NSC and its affililate Nigeria Football Association (NFA), there are genuine fears that the sour relationship between Gimba and his top directors could have adverse consequencies on the fortunes of the various national teams, particularly the Super Eagles who are neck-deep in the 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifiers. Apart from ensuring that the FA lives up to its promise of taking Nigerian football to greater heights, it is also the responsibility of the NSC to oversee the preparation of the country's Under-20 male and female teams that have booked tickets to Beijing 2008.

However, it is doubtful if the commission can effectively play its critical role of overseeing sports when it is itself enmeshed in a crisis that could have far reaching consequencies if not checked.

Coming at a time the Yar'Adua administration is harping on private sector participation in its programmes, developments at the NSC are capable of sending the wrong signals to potentials sponsors. Would-be investors are likely to take a second look at sports, in view of untoward developments in that sector.

We are appalled at developments at the NSC. While crisis in our sports may not be anything new, the dimension it has taken should be a source of worry to every well meaning Nigerian. From all indications, the minister and his top aides are working at cross purposes. Naturally, it would be difficult if not impossible to achieve tangible results in a climate of mistrust. Viewed from whatever angle, Gimba's action amounts to a vote of no confidence in his key staff.

We have always suspected that the lack of progress in sports has to do with poor administration. This has manifested in unnecessary ego-trip and muscle flexing by officials. The upshot of this is the tardiness with which we prepare for major sporting events.

However, we call for caution in the handling of the crisis of confidence between Gimba and his key officials. Both parties must sink their differences and work as a team. No individual or group is bigger than this country. Sports remains a key aspect of our national life and given the level to which our fortunes have dipped in recent times, we can't afford the luxury of another protracted crisis.