Remilekun Awokoya
Abiola Olajuwon, who is the assistant Coach of Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress, and also daughter of Nigerian-born American NBA Hall of Famer, Hakeem Olajuwon, has decried non-payment of allowances to certain players and coaches of the team following the team’s historic run at the just-concluded Paris Olympics.
Many other Nigerians have, in turn, expressed outrage on social media, criticizing the government’s failure to compensate the team.
Olajuwon, assistant coach of the team that made history by qualifying for the quarter-final round of the Olympics, voiced her frustration over unpaid allowances, despite leading the team to significant achievements, Olajuwon and other members of the coaching staff have not received their due allowances, sparking widespread outrage among Nigerians.
The D’Tigress’ remarkable Olympic run brought pride to the nation, but the government’s failure to compensate the team has drawn sharp criticism.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their anger, calling out the government for its neglect and mistreatment of athletes who represent the country on the global stage.
Social media users were quick to condemn the situation, with comments highlighting the inconsistency and lack of support from the Nigerian government.
One user questioned why paying people for their service is so difficult, while another lamented the government’s habit of owing athletes despite their outstanding performances.
The situation has been described as a recurring issue in Nigerian sports, where athletes, particularly women, are often underfunded and undervalued despite their successes.