Sports
Alleged N21bn Renovation of Surulere National Stadium: IMC Chairman Blasts Critics of Sports Minister
….Says detractors don’t understand due process
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of Interim Management Committee (IMC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has blasted widespread media as well as social media on the criticism that Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare requested for the sum of N21 billion to rehabilitate the National Stadium, Surulere, in Lagos.
Contrary to this report, it has become important to state clearly that the Ministry has not requested or received any such amount from government or any individual.
The Sports and Youth Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, in an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos last week, only mentioned the figure as one of the estimated amount from the proposals received which indicates that about that sum would be needed for the complete rehabilitation and upgrade of the national edifice based on submissions made by different companies and contractors.
In a chat with Journalists, while clearing the air on the issue, on Wednesday in Abuja, Elegbeleye said this is the first time he saw a working adopt-a-pitch initiative by the Minister in the history of Nigeria’s sports.
Elegbeleye, who was former National Sports Commission’s Director General with many years of experience in sports administration, expressed that many lack understanding of due process and derived pleasure in bringing people that are doing well down.
According to him, Some people just wake up from the wrong side of the bed, come up and malign people. Once they wake up, the first thing they think is what they would say today to discredit somebody who is performing.
“I was DG, NSC. I have been in the sports industry for years, this is the first time we would see a minister who is interested in facilities, he carried it on his head and is doing It.
“Many don’t know what it takes to renovate a stadium, a stadium is a complete empire of entertainment, not just where you play football alone, there will be shopping-mall, bank, executive lounge, hospital, and we have so many facilities in the stadium.
“The N21 billion is not from the ministry of sports, it’s just an estimate to bring the stadium back to life, what has that got to do with Sunday Dare? It’s just a proposal from a company, as other companies will bring their own.
“This is not the budget time, it’s not in the budget of the Ministry of youth and sports development, it’s a mere proposal from the company and he read it out, where did that one become a problem?
“Again, the Ministry can’t spend such an amount of money to give out the contract without going through the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP.
“I was DG, I know the process, proposals are coming from several companies, BPP will now do their own costing, that is what we call due process system, they will now know the cost of project and approve any one among the proposal that meet up and send it back to the Ministry, who will now send it to the Presidency for Federal Executive Council to discuss, then FEC will now discuss whether to do or not. So, what has that got to do with someone who is Minister.
“Meanwhile the Minister’s tenure is expiring next month, once the government approves it, the project will be for the new administration, not him. What has Chief Sunday Dare got to do with spending of the money, he wouldn’t be there when money is given.
“So, why would people just wake up in their life to keep maligning people, some people are easily for sale, they present themselves as items, commodities for sale so that they can malign people.” He blasted.
Sports
NPFL Unveils Official Match Ball ‘Pro Star Evolution’ For Nigeria Premier League
….Expect more innovations in NPFL-Elegbeleye
Joel Ajayi
With the buzz and excitement building ahead of the second stanza of the Nigeria Premier League, NPL, the new Match ball Pro Star Evolution that will be used for the rest of campaign has been unveiled.
The FIFA and CAF standard 400 balls was given to 20 clubs where each club will get 20 balls for the second stanza of the League that will commenced this weekend.
At unveiling of the match ball on Monday in the Nations capital city, the chairman of NPFL Gbenga Elegbeleye said the weather friendly and FIFA standard product (ball) will be use at match venue as second stanza is on the way.
According to him, distribution is aimed at standardized the Nigeria league in bid to make it one if the best in Africa. According to him, each club will get 20 balls in the first phase as they hope to increase number before the end of the season.
The distribution before the kick off of the second half of the season is for the clubs to practice with it such that they will be used to it ahead of the kick off.
“In a deliberate effort to standardize the league, the NPFL management is unveiling the match balls which will be give to twenty clubs. This will enable them to train with the balls ahead of the start of the second stanza. Our strategic sponsor, GTI is responsible for bringing the balls which can flow well under all weather conditions. Each club will get 20 balls.
While speaking about the expectations for the second stanza of the League that will commenced this weekend, Elegbeleye said Nigeria should expect more innovations and improvement in the league.
“We want our league to be the best in Africa, At least part of it is what we are doing today, unveiling of CAF and FIFA standard Match Balls, improving our portfolio and more innovations to make the system work.
“On our own, will continue to project the league in a way that will gain the respect of Africa. We want to improve on every available opportunity.
“Now in NPFL any teams can win anywhere,You can see the improvement in the standard of our initiative.
“When we meet with referees ahead of the games, at the workshop, the Online seminar, it was quite fantastic.They promised to improve. Of course, like I said yesterday, the meeting with referees, there is a low participation in any league in the world. We are always striving to get something close to near perfection”.
Also speaking, the representative of GTI, Mr Nelson Ine said the intention is to get a uniform ball for match-day in the NPFL, adding that it was distributed earlier so that the players will be used to it.
“GTI is doing everything in making sure that the league gets to where it ought to be. This is one of the reasons we deemed it fit to get balls for all twenty clubs in the league. The ball is FIFA and CAF standard and playable under any weather conditions”.
Owumi in his votes of thanked applauded the GTI as well as Media for their positive impact on the league saying that, visibility of the league today is top notch combing with competitive balance, quality on increase.
He, therefore, sought the support of all stakeholders to work hand in hands to face lift the Nigeria League.
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