Sports

Sports Minister Canvasses Massive Private Sector Investment In Sports

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2023

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has advised investors and major players in the private sector to take advantage of incentives put in place by the current administration to invest massively in the sports sector.

Delivering a lecture titled, “Sports Development as a Panacea for National Unity and Economic Development”, at the National Defence College in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister described sports in Nigeria as an untapped goldmine for economic development. He said that sports have the capacity to provide gainful employment to millions of youths and other unemployed Nigerians if properly harnessed.

He said,” The new vision and thinking of government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu classifies sports as business. It is the right approach to jumpstart the desired transformation of sports in our country. I therefore invite the private sector, investors, civil society, and the global sports community to join the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its effort to fully unlock the economic potential of sports in Nigeria and in the process, unleash one of the most consequential transformations of the 21st century.”

It is for this reason he said the Ministry of Sports Development under his leadership is committed to the implementation of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) with incentives for investors. Senator Owan Enoh stated that sports have the potential for wealth creation, employment generation, and the ability to make substantial contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He lamented that this huge potential had been squandered due to inaction and missed opportunities.

The minister assured prospective investors and Nigerians that the Ministry of Sports Development will create an enabling environment for sports to thrive not just as a recreational activity, but as a business.

“I want to assure stakeholders in this critical sector and sports-loving Nigerians that as a government, we are committed and determined to ensure the full implementation of this policy document in order to harness the transformative capacity of sports for the economic development of our country”, he said.

As a universally acclaimed unifying force, he described sports as a unique connective rod that binds people together. Senator John Owan Enoh reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to transform the sports sector, a vision that informed the decision to create a separate Ministry of Sports Development.

Apart from formulating policies and implementing programs aimed at developing sports at the grassroots level within the institutional framework which includes the National Sports Festival (NSF), National Youth Games, and Sports Development Centers among others, he listed some focus areas the ministry would pay full attention to under his leadership. These include expanding and improving School Sports Games, implementing a strategic plan to define the growth path for discovered talents, improving welfare for athletes, and Public-Private Partnerships for the upgrade of essential sports infrastructure.

Share on Facebook

Sports

PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Splashes Big Prize Money Ahead Of 14 November 2026 Race

Published

5 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

Top Three Elite Finishers To Earn $8,000, $6,000 And $5,000 Respectively

The organisers of the highly anticipated PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon have announced an attractive prize package for athletes across every category ahead of the race on 14 November 2026 in Abuja.

The prize announcement has been welcomed by athletes and coaches, as the event continues to establish itself as one of the leading road races in Nigeria. The race offers local athletes the chance to compete against international runners in front of a home crowd, while also earning meaningful rewards.

In the elite category, first place earns $8,000, second place takes $6,000, third place gets $5,000, fourth place receives $4,000, fifth place goes home with $3,000, sixth place earns $2,000, seventh place takes $1,000, and eighth place gets $500.

In the Nigerian category, first place earns ₦2,000,000, second place takes ₦1,500,000, third place gets ₦1,000,000, fourth place receives ₦500,000, fifth place goes home with ₦300,000, sixth place earns ₦200,000, seventh place takes ₦100,000, and eighth place gets ₦50,000.

According to the organisers, the prize structure reflects the commitment of PremiumTrust Bank to the growth of athletics in Nigeria and to the encouragement of home based athletes. The separate Nigerian category ensures that local runners are properly recognised and rewarded for their performance.

The half marathon, which covers 21 kilometres, remains an important event for long distance runners. It serves as a test of endurance and preparation, and it provides a competitive platform for athletes building towards major national and international competitions.

The race is expected to draw elite athletes, club runners, corporate teams, fitness enthusiasts and supporters from across Nigeria and beyond. The turnout is expected to be high, given the interest already shown since registration opened.

Organisers have advised interested runners to register early through the official registration portal of the race to secure their participation, as arrangements are being put in place for timing, security, medical support and traffic management on race day.

The prize money is now confirmed, attention will shift to the athletes as they complete their final weeks of training and preparations ahead of the race day.

Share on Facebook