Sports

Bunmi Haruna calls for SWAN inclusion on NSC board

Published

3 years ago

July 9, 2021

….As sports thumbs return of Sports Commission, sports University

Bunmi Haruna, chairman of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, has called for the inclusion of the body on the National Sports Commission (NSC) board.

Also, critical sports stakeholders expressed their supports for the establishment of Federal Sports University of Nigeria and the return of National Sports Commission (NSC)

The newly elected chairman stated this in his presentation at the Senate Committee on Sports public hearing on the bill seeking to establish the National Sports Commission and the Federal Sports University, Nkalagu Ebonyi state

“Those who should have a say in sports should be part of the National Sports Commission, NSC. Hence, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) should be included in the board,” Haruna said.

“The importance of the NSC is such that we cannot resort to not include the body that acts as a bridge between the sportsmen, administrators, the people and invariably the private sector in it. Sports is business and SWAN is the vehicle on which it is sold, so neglecting SWAN in the composition of the NSC is omitting an important part of the commission.

He also believes it is of great importance to smoothen the relationship between the director general of the commission and minister of Sports to foster better working atmosphere between both parties.

“We also observe that the power tussle between the Minister and the Director General, NSC was largely responsible for the scraping of the commission the last time.

“So there is great need for a clear demarcation of the duties of these principal officers in the new look NSC.”

He also applauded the bills initiative muted by the National Assembly on the establishment of the NSC and a sports university in Ebonyi state.

“The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, would like to thank the National Assembly for coming up with these bills, this shows in a great deal that we have forward-thinking legislators that are not only interested in moving the country forward but also create more opportunities for the youths.

“SWAN supports the establishment of the NSC because it is a model that has worked for Nigeria in the past and it is the trend in the developed countries where sports is real business. In the US, it is called the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), in Australia, it is called Sport Australia, formally the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport in Australia, In Canada, it is called Sports Canada, in South Africa, the South Africa Sports Commission, in Japan, it is called sports commission of Japan, etc.

While responding, chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, praised SWAN for their fantastic presentation and acknowledged that points raised were genuine and will be considered.

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Sports

Newly appointed Youth Ambassador hails president Tinubu on appointment of Dikko, Zulu, others

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

The Gleamer

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again got a pat in the back for appointing qualified individuals to administer the sports sector.

Newly appointed Ambassador of the Grassroot Sports Development, Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare, gave this commendation on Wednesday during a courtesy visit on the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja.

Ezelekhae, who expressed gratitude to the leadership of the NSC for appointing as Youth Ambasador, said the appoitments made by the President were highly commendable.

“I will like to express my profound gratitude to rhe chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC, and to those who have entrusted me with this ambassadorial role, and most importantly, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for appoiting these remarkable individuals to servei in the sport commission”.

He stated that the honour bestowed on him was beyond himself, but a testaement amd recognition of the enduring legacy of the Benin Kingdom, its culture, its committment to uplifting the next generation.

Ezelekhae added that his misson as the Youth Ambassador, is to inspire and empower and to connect with the Nigerian youth in various communities, adding that grassroot sport is more than games.

“My vision is to make that every Nigerian child, regardless of background, has acccess to quality sport programmes, mentorship and opportunities to showcase their talents on local and global stages”.

He however sought collaboration and investment, saying that the vision can not be achieved alone.

Pledging his commitment to his role, he said. ” I will work imoeratively with the sport commision, to promote initiatives that will develop young talent to foster unity and make sport an instrument for national progress, “.

In his words, NSC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko thanked Ezelekhae for acceting the role, stressing that it aligns with the vision of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is very committed and excoted to see that grassroot sport development is taking to the next level.

“For this reason, Mr President appointed a Senior Special Assistant , who I’m happy to have hear, Zulu, a rooted grassroot man”.

Speaking at the event, the SSA to the President on Grassroot Sport Development, Chief Adeyinka Adeboye expreseed happiness at the emergence of a different sport sector.

“This time around, we are trying to make happy all our sleeping babies, all our younger ones, to come out enmass and embrace sports, the key to the unity in this country.

He expressed appreciation to the NSC boss for bringing them together as a way of moving sports forward.

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