In Perspectives: Africa and Diaspora performance at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
I appreciate the person who has come up with this Medal Table following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I saw it on Facebook. The order is: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Total. This allowed me to put in Perspectives Africa and Diaspora performance at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Africa & Diaspora: 50, 65, 85, 200
United States: 39, 41, 33, 113
China: 38, 32, 18, 88
Japan: 27, 14, 17, 58
Great Britain: 22, 21, 22, 65
Russia: 20, 28, 23, 71
Australia: 17, 7, 22, 46
Netherlands: 10, 12, 14, 36
It is okay to believe that this would have been the case if all the Athletes from Africa and of African Descent had participated as one people. But it is important to note that Athletes of African Descent who did well may not have performed the same if they represented African countries. It is also important to note that out of the 200 medals won by Africa & Diaspora, 36 were won by Athletes who represented African countries.
We cannot ignore the fact that successful countries usually invest well. There are good training facilities. The administration is good.
Most African countries do not do enough. They have the funds for good investment but choose to do the opposite. We need to be doing what other countries are doing to be successful as well. Some African Athletes have decided to be representing different countries because there are good facilities and good administration.
It is essential to talk about the French National Soccer Team. Many Black Players in the French National Soccer Team won the 2018 World Cup. They all played a huge role. There are always many Black Players in the French National Soccer Team. Unfortunately, with the current poor administration in Africa, there is no guarantee that if all these black players form one National Team in Africa, Nation will win the world cup.
It is common to find African National Soccer Teams, for example, complaining of having not been paid their bonuses. It has happened to Cameroon. It has happened to Ghana. It has happened to Nigeria. When this happens, it kills the spirit of the players. We cannot be dining with corruption and greed and then expect success.
The Algerian national soccer team, the Cameroonian Indomitable lions, the Egyptian pharaohs, Ghana Black Stars, the Ivorian national soccer team, the Moroccan national soccer team, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, etc. can all win the global prestigious world cup. But we need to invest. We also need to give good administration a chance.
Let us accept that we have weaknesses and then work hard to overcome them. Yes, we are intelligent. Yes, we are talented. But being brilliant and talented does not mean automatic success. Good investment and administration are also needed.
If we get united when we have not worked on our respective countries’ weaknesses, we would still find it challenging to progress. So, let us be working relentlessly towards putting our countries in order as we advocate for a United Africa. It is easy to talk about one Africa, but so much is required from each one of us.
Africa is indeed very sick, but there is hope that things will change for the better because the poor leadership and flawed system would not be there forever. So let us not give up. Instead, let us keep making substantial efforts to put things right. Let us continue to love our Beloved Motherland.
GCBM Contributor: Aye B. Kiven
