Thirty-four Nigerian student-athletes have been denied the opportunity to participate in the 2025 FISU World University Games due to lack of funding, casting a shadow over what should have been a proud moment for Nigerian university sports.
According to findings by Sportxvibe.com.ng, 75 athletes initially qualified for the global university event after a rigorous selection trial held at the University of Jos in Plateau State from April 6 to 12.
Despite 52 of them being camped for preparation, only 18 athletes were ultimately able to make the trip to Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, as the tournament kicks off on Wednesday, July 16.
The Nigerian delegation includes 18 athletes, 18 officials, two coaches, a team doctor, and three media representatives.
However, the absence of nearly half of the originally selected competitors highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s sports development, particularly at the tertiary level.
One of the sidelined athletes, Oluwasegunfunmi Idowu, voiced his frustration at the missed opportunity.
“I feel sad and discouraged because I went through stress attending the trials in Jos,” Idowu said.
“Unfortunately, not being able to participate is not encouraging at all. This event is the highest level of university sports globally. If the government isn’t ready to sponsor us, why send us to trials in the first place—risking our lives traveling long distances?”
He urged the Nigerian government to provide more support for student-athletes, suggesting that improved funding could motivate young athletes to combine education with sports and aspire to international platforms.
Gbemileke Samuel, a sports agent who runs SGS Global Sport criticized the broader state of Nigeria’s tertiary sports infrastructure.
“What’s the budget allocation for education in Nigeria? A portion of that should go into fixing our institutions’ sports complexes, many of which are in terrible condition,” Samuel said.
“Some schools don’t even have a decent football pitch. How do we expect to develop world-class athletes in such environments?”
The 2025 Rhine-Ruhr Games will feature 234 medal events across 18 sports, including athletics, swimming, basketball, taekwondo, judo, and tennis.
This edition of the Games marks the debut of 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, rowing, and beach volleyball in the summer competition.