THE PRESS SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1978. Nigeria’s boycott of Games

Press, 29 July 1978, Page 14

THE PRESS SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1978. Nigeria’s boycott of Games

Nigeria » decision to boycott the Commonwealth Games at Edmonton is both unexpected and puzzling. Little has been said in the last few weeks to suggest that Nigeria or any other country considered that New Zealand had not been abiding by the spirit or the letter of the Gleneagles Agreement.

Nigeria chose the very last moment to make its views known—so late in fact that Nigerian sportsmen arrived at Edmonton before they became aware of their Government's decision. Nigeria's decision appears to rely on an assessment that is not only contrary to that of the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Mr Shidrath Ramphal, but even to that of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa It is to be hoped that Nigeria will reconsider its position

The New Zealand Government has

been publicly and privately discouraging sporting contacts with South Africa and such contacts as have occurred have been minor and subject to official disapproval. It is a matter of regret that New Zealand, which once earned itself some diplomatic esteem for its race relations policies should have got itself during the last few years into a position in which some grounds for complaint were provided. New Zealand has now come around to an acceptable world position, and one that is more respectable than some. Nigeria’s failure to take account of this is so irrational that it is difficult to take its Government’s decision seriously. Nevertheless, the decision has been a serious one and it is to be hoped that common sense will prevail while diplomats and sports administrators try to save the Edmonton Games from an uncalled-for blemish.