In a heartfelt Instagram post, Akeem Olajuwon’s daughter, Abi Olajuwon, expressed her disappointment over the treatment of the Nigerian women’s basketball team at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. Using her handle @abiolajuwon34, she shared her frustrations and called out the Nigerian sports authorities for their unfulfilled promises and lack of support.
Abi Olajuwon wrote, “To go to the Olympics and experience something my father did with the USA was a dream. I wanted to be at the Opening Ceremony since I was 8 at the Atlanta Olympics, but Nigeria denied women’s basketball and then had the Minister tell us we are young enough to go to the next one.”
She highlighted the dedication and hard work of the assistant coaches, who put in immense effort to ensure the players made history. “Assistant coaches put blood, sweat, and tears into making sure players accomplished history. Scouting Germany, Serbia, Japan, Australia, France, Canada, and the USA, losing by 14 now (not 60 in February), helped Coach Rena Wakama get Coach of the Year with FIBA,” she added.
However, Abi lamented the lack of financial support and recognition for the coaches and players. “To now lie and not pay your coaches for their work and want to keep my money for the 3 games before the Olympics because I work in the WNBA is sad. It’s sad players (the ones who got paid) got less than what was promised by the Ministry. It is also sad that the assistant coaches aren’t getting our money (that was promised) at all and are now being ignored. We made history… Give what was promised.”
Her post has sparked a conversation about the treatment of athletes and the need for better support and accountability from sports authorities. The Nigerian basketball community and fans are rallying behind Abi Olajuwon, hoping for a positive change in the future.
