Sports
Sports: Governor Okowa Showers Encomiums on Sunday Dare
…Says Sports Minister has Brought High Level Commitment to Sports Development in Nigeria
The Governor of Delta State and chief host of the 21st National Sports Festival, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has showered encomiums on the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare for his commitment to sports development in Nigeria.
Speaking in Asaba, Delta State at the unveil ceremony of the mascot and logo of the National Sports Festival(Delta 2022) on Wednesday, Governor Okowa also congratulated him for the giant strides made for the country.
His words: “I must truly thank the Honourable Minister for the way he is taking sports development in this nation. He has brought a high level of commitment to sports development in Nigeria yet he remains so humble in his approach.
“I believe that is the reason why some of us are very much encouraged to work with him to see what best can be done for Nigeria. We notice the work he is doing and are proud of him in this respect.”
Governor Okowa also revealed that the Sports Minister is one of the major reasons Delta State never hesitates to support Nigerian athletes and sports generally anytime the Ministry comes calling.
In his address much earlier, the Sports Minister Sunday Dare thanked Governor Okowa for always being there for Nigerian sportsmen and women, praising him for his commitment to sports development in an era where most of his colleagues still regard sports as mere recreation or ‘play, play’.
“You stand head and shoulders high among your peers when it comes to your courage and commitment in this area. And we know for sure that you will bring all these to bear in the execution of the 21st National Sports Festival in November 2022,” Dare said.
Over Sixteen thousand(16,000) athletes from across the country will converge on Delta State to compete for medals in forty(40) sports from November 2 – 15, 2022.
Sports
Akinwunmi Hails Girls, Praises Tinubu Sports Reforms
The former First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation and former Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association spoke in Lagos moments after the Flamingos beat Japan in the final to become the first African country ever to lift the trophy.
Akinwunmi also gave credit to government.
He hailed the reforms of the National Sports Commission, backed by the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This victory did not happen by chance,” he said.
“President Tinubu gave sports a clear mandate. Sports is no longer just leisure. It is a national asset. It is a tool for youth empowerment.”
“For years we cried that grassroots football had no money. Today, the NSC has brought structure, accountability and long-term planning.”
For Akinwunmi, it was not just a win. It was the fulfilment of a vision he has carried for over a decade.
“This is not just a trophy. This is history,” Akinwunmi said.
“This is Africa’s first. This is Nigeria showing the world that our girls can be the best in the world.”
“You have proved that ‘Let The Children Play’ was not a slogan. It was a vision that incorporated the development of the girl child and culminated in Lagos State producing successive Falcons’ captains under his watch. Today, that vision is a World Cup.”
Akinwunmi knows what this victory means.
While many administrators focused only on the Super Eagles, he fought for youth and girls football.
He created “Let The Children Play”. He pushed for the NFF/Zenith U15 Women Competition. He pushed for scouting of girls from age 13.
As Chairman of the NFF Youth Development Committee, he wrote the Youth Development Policy. His rule was simple: scout from 13, move them from U13 to U15 to U17 to U20. No win-at-all-cost. Build players for the future.
“Give a girl a ball, give her education, give her a chance,” he used to say. “She will give you a World Cup.”
On Saturday, the girls gave Nigeria a World Cup.
He praised the leadership of the National Sports Commission NSC under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, according to him, the difference was clear on the pitch.
This time, the Flamingos had proper camping. They had friendly matches. They had sports science. Their allowances were paid.
“When you treat athletes with dignity, they will give their all on the pitch for Nigeria.”
He said the reforms match his own “Football First” blueprint, which he wrote while at the NFF.
“Focus on grassroots football, focus on youth development. Focus on the leagues, focus on proper organisation, focus on the economy of football. Trophies will follow. Today, the trophy has followed.”
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