FGN Creates Enabling Environment to Grow Sports

Oru Leonard 

Part of the vision of the Federal Government is to create an enabling environment for Sports to grow in the country through Professional developmental initiative programmes.

The Chairman, National Sports Commission stated on Friday when he welcomed the Nigerian Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus N. Agu Ejidike J. P. on a courtesy visit in his office at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.

Mallam Dikko enumerated on the six points agenda outlined by the Pillars of Sports in their address saying that it is in consonant with vision and mandate of Mr. President which is not only to develop Sports in the country, but also create a sports economy in Nigeria. He agreed with the Pillars that some of what is mentioned in their speech is what is needed to achieve their goals.

He emphasized the importance of convening a comprehensive stakeholders meeting to consolidate and utilize the myriad reports and documents that have accumulated over the years. By selecting the pertinent ones aligned with our organizational goals, we can move forward more effectively. One of the key directives of the President is to enhance grassroots development and amateur sports, as they form the crucial foundation. A clear progression must be established, moving from grassroots to amateur and ultimately to the professional level. In line with this mandate, plans to establish zonal and state offices are underway to support and complement our existing efforts. Furthermore, a commitment has been made to collaborate closely with school sports programs to strengthen their role as foundations. Collaborations with bodies such as the Nigerian University Games Association and the School Sports Federation are in progress, with discussions initiated with the Ministry of Education to integrate school sports into our initiatives. The vision includes establishing six centers of excellence, starting at the university level, with each zone housing one university designed to invest in infrastructure and become a hub for elite athletes to receive education and training. It was highlighted that nearly 38% of medals in the last Olympics were won by student-athletes globally, underscoring the importance of nurturing talent at an early stage. The plan is to develop a pathway for aspiring professional athletes, spanning from primary and secondary schools to universities and eventually to the professional level. With a team of experienced technocrats, efforts will be made to identify primary and secondary schools in each state to serve as centers of excellence, providing a structured route for young individuals aspiring to excel in sports.

The data capturing would be best applied at all levels starting from the zonal, states and the National offices. And in the Youth Games, innovativeness and technology would be applied where you are issued a number at the beginning of a sport activity, that number will be with you to the end of the programme for proper accounting and tracking of any officer that bears that number.

Dikko further explained that legislation drives development, and that is why he has insisted, since he resumed office, that the best thing to do is harmonize with the enabling legislation to expand its scope in order to deliver the framework of Mr. President to achieve the renewed hope of Nigerians through sports, creating a proper sports economy in the country and a proper development system in Nigeria. This will solve the funding crisis, the dispute settlement issues, and the infrastructure issues in sports. All of these, he said, can happen through the Act. “These task processes and incentives would be the key to that Act, and once that Act is in place, the enabling environment would be there; nobody—be it the public or private sector, or individuals—would be able to change anything.”

We have also made commitments to motivate athletes by empowering our domestic competitions so that all sports have their domestic competitions held annually. Whoever wins in those competitions, whether domestically or nationally, will be taken to have had a handshake with Mr. President. It is not just about giving them money; we also want to create avenues where the President meets with them one-on-one to appreciate their efforts. This will help boost their morale and confidence in what they are doing. Additionally, this will put the athletes on a shopping list, which would also encourage the private sector to want to be involved and be part of what is happening with the athletes in the future, such as receiving national awards. These are all new ways of thinking and doing things, he said.

Earlier on in his paper presentation on Sports Development and Promotion in Nigeria, Chief Donatus N. Agu Ejidike J.P.
Emphasized the need for National awards by the Federal government to be bestowed on Stakeholders who have committed their resources to Sports development in Nigeria to navigate them.
He also suggested that counseling and data unit should be established at the Natioal Sports Commission to prepare distinguished athletes and players for old age and challenges, in this sense, he said, all Nigerian Sports men and women profiles and data would be captured and monitored. This is because Nigerian Sports men and women including Coaches are neglected and abandoned as if they have not done anything great for our great nation Nigeria.

Chief Donatus believes that all six points enumerated would be catalyst for achieving the desired goals and objectives of taking sports to an enviable height in Nigeria and beyond.

In a vote of thanks by the newly appointed Director General (DG) of National Sports Commission Chief Bukola Olawale Olapade appreciated the Nigeria Pillar of Sports for their visit, he commented their efforts made to wanting to Partner with the Commission.

He said, he was privileged to seat down with leaders of Sports industry and his boss the Chairman, who have projected sports positively despite all challenges faced. He prays that the visit would further go into enhancing some of the scientific approach and vision of Mr. President and the Chairman in leading us to better days in Sports. Thank you.
[11/20, 6:07 AM] Patricia FMSD N/DELTA: Chairman and chief Donatus of Pillar of Sports