The Paralympic team of Nigeria has consistently put out far better performances than their mainstream counterparts.
Since Barcelona '92, they have sustained their pedigree as the most successful African team at the games.
The recent success of the Paralympic team in Rio de Janeiro once again came in sharp contrast to the performance of the mainstream team. While the later could only muster a conciliatory bronze medal, from the football team coming 78th in the world on the medals table, the former amassed 8 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals to come 17th in the world and 1st in Africa. Commentators have had their tongues wagging as to how far better the Paralympic team is compared to the main Olympic team; with some (ignorantly and jokingly) suggesting the Paralympic team represented the country in the next main Olympics.
The big question has remained this: How come the Nigerian Paralympic team seems to be more successful than the main Olympic team given that both teams are subject to the same shenanigans and disorderliness in sports management in the country? The answer is not far fetched, the Paralympic team has over the years concentrated attention on their area of competitive advantage - Powerlifting.
Of the 12 medals from the last Paralympic in Rio, 9 came from Powerlifting, a trend that goes back to the first Paralympic outing of the team in Barcelona '92.
On the African continent, countries in East Africa, led by Kenya, have defined their successes in sports meetings not by what others could do that they can't do but by what they could do and are doing well- long distance races.
The Nigerian Paralympic team and competitive advantage. Here's what I think:
1. You are not successful as an individual or organization by comparing your achievements with that of others without understanding your individual peculiarities. The United States was the most successful team in the main Olympics in Rio however, Kenya was satisfied with their total of medals (6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze) and counted themselves successful because they played well to their area of strength. Do all you can in other areas but when it comes to long distance races the world stands up for Kenya. At least for the moment, they do not have as much resources as America to develop other sports but do not consider themselves as failures in a gathering like the Olympics. On the other hand, China felt defeated by Britain because they taught they could match the British in all sporting competition but didn't at the Olympics.
2. Costs are cut when firms and individuals strategically invest in their areas of competitive advantage. This in turn yields greater returns on investment. Had the main Nigerian Olympic team concentrated attention on improving their areas of strength, wastage in other areas could have been curtailed and savings appropriately channelled.
3. In your area of competitive advantage, you don't have the feeling of inferiority. Yes you might not be as big as the competition,
but you can carve a niche for yourself. There is an area where you can still win. The Nigerian Paralympic team might not necessarily be compared to China's, but they didn't feel inferior because they shined in their own light.
4. Challenges are easily surmounted when organizations and individuals play to their strengths. Like I noted earlier, the Nigerian Paralympic team faced the same challenges that the able bodied athletes faced (if not worse because of their physical challenges) yet they came out better among their peers. In contrast, trying to be all will amount to throwing of effort in different directions.
No organization or individual can do all and be all. Hence, one of the keys to being successful (a word with different yardstick for measurement) is in emphasizing your core competences, more like strengthening your strengths.
Once you have learnt how to do a thing better than anyone else, concentrate on maximising it until you learn another.
