Nigeria plans 2012 Olympic bid

Football gold in Atlanta was Nigeria's Olympic highlight

Nigeria will bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games despite crippling problems with infrastructure and facilities.

Sports Minister Stephen Akiga admitted the country is struggling as it prepares to host the 2003 Africa Games, but maintained the Olympics are a real possibility.

I'm not comfortable with our preparations

Stephen Akiga,
Nigerian Sports Minister

"We have 10 years to prepare to host the 2012 Olympic Games," said Akiga.

"It will open a new chapter in the field of sports on the African continent."

London is among the possible opponents to any Nigerian bid, but the African nation has plenty more obstacles to overcome.

Caborn wary of Olympic bid

Nigeria has only hosted two big sporting events in its history - the Africa Games in 1973 and the World Youth Cup in 1999.

And the bid would not be helped by the faltering preparations for next year's African Games in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

"By now, we should have the stadium and Games village ready, but with about a year to go, I'm not comfortable with our preparations," said Akiga.

"All we're giving now is a guarantee that things will be ready, so I'll be rushing now to say they will be the best Games."

Nigeria is building an ultra-modern, all-seater 60,000 capacity stadium and a Games village in Abuja for the event, scheduled for 4-18 October, 2003.

Around 6,000 athletes from 54 countries will compete in 22 disciplines.