Sports
“Development of Sports and Sports for Development” – Minister John Enoh States His Administration’s Two-Fold Focus
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh has stated that his administration will pursue a two-fold focus, as part of the plans to reposition sports in the country.
Speaking to stakeholders in Lagos, Enoh said the two-fold focus rests on sports development and sports for development as a way of harnessing the potential of sports for Nigeria.
He explained that the first prong of sports development will take grassroots development as a special sub-focus where the country will focus on providing a platform for budding and raw talents to be unearthed for refinement.
Enoh said, “Grassroots development will focus on the extent to which as a ministry and a country, we are able to provide the infrastructure and amenities at the grassroots level, where our talents are located.”
“We have untapped talents in our local areas, individuals that do not have the opportunity to showcase themselves. We must provide pitches, and courts that will expose these talents in areas that are neglected.”
“We don’t want to just say it, but we want to take practical steps, that at the end of my tenure, we have measurable impacts of our work,”, he added.
Expatiating further he said grassroots development also entails establishing and running leagues across different sports at the youth level. School sports and underaged competitions are important to this plan.
Furthermore, he said, “We must also provide a transition plan for our discovered talents to move from the youth level to the elite level.”
Second Focus: Sports for Development
Senator John Enoh said sports should not be developed just for the sake of it, but the concern should also extend to ensuring sports contribute to the nation’s economic development.
“The National Bureau of Statistics has no place for sports as a contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). One of the things I will do is engage with the NBS to evaluate some of the factors that are considered in identifying a sector as a contributor to national GDP. And these things will be pursued.”
“The National Sports Industry Policy which I met focuses on treating sports as a business. This is one of the things we will pursue. We will pursue to see how we can tap sports contribution to national unity and national integration. No sector showcases our national colors (green and white) as much as sports do,” he added.
“In my experience of watching Tennis, a guy like Novak Djokovic has placed Serbia on the world map by his appearances at every grand slam. This is something we can emulate and do in our country.”
He charged the media to support his plans and play a key role in sports development. He called for fair reportage and a sense of patriotism to be placed above anything else
Sports
NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server
Joel Ajayi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is taking Nigerian sports beyond the track and pitch into the digital arena.
In a move that could redefine the future of sports development in the country, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Thursday led a high-powered delegation on a strategic working visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Idris Olorunbe.
The meeting aimed at forging a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and position Nigerian e-sports on par with global standards.
During the meeting, Hon. Olopade made it clear that the NSC is ready to embrace technology as a core driver of growth.
“Our intention is to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve sports science, especially e-sports, through viable sponsorship. We are counting on the NCC to help deepen connectivity and attract the kind of corporate backing that modern sports demand.”
He further emphasized the need for private sector involvement.
“Corporate Social Responsibility must play a stronger role in sports development. We cannot build a 21st-century sports ecosystem without the tech and telecommunications sectors at the table. With strong cohesion between the NSC and NCC, there will be measurable improvement in sports sponsorship and digital infrastructure.”
“The NCC has a critical role to play in making e-sports work in Nigeria. From internet speed to gaming infrastructure, their support is essential if we want our athletes to compete and win on the global stage,” the DG added.
NCC Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe, responded with a strong statement that set the tone for what could become a landmark partnership:“Everything that can be done in traditional sports can also be done in e-sports. The question is not if we will do it, but how we are going to do it.”
He also highlighted the economic potential of the collaboration.
“There is huge economic value attached to this synergy. What we are trying to build goes beyond sports, it touches youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding. It is commendable that the DG has taken this step.”
Hon. Olorunbe further stressed the shared national objective driving both agencies.“The essence of this collaboration is to make our country better. For the sake of our e-sports athletes, we must build gaming hubs. We must create the environment, bandwidth, and policies that allow Nigerian talent to thrive.”
Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to develop a roadmap for sports digitalisation, e-sports league structuring, and a national framework for attracting sponsors into the digital sports ecosystem.
The NSC–NCC alliance marks a significant step, potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy.
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