Sports
Sports Minister wants States to Tap Into Sports Industry Policy
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has called on state governments to identify specialized areas they can key into in the Sports Industry Policy which will soon be ready.
The Minister made this assertion during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri after watching Team Nigeria wrestling final preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Mr. Dare commended Bayelsa state giant strides in establishing itself as the Wrestling capital of Nigeria.
“When I visited the new gym being constructed, I took time to look at the plans and was excited that it met international standards. It shows a government with foresight and committed to sports development.
“In the last 20 months we have devoted our time largely into turning sports into an industry. Sports has been mere recreation in our country. when you look at all successful nations that have successful sports development, it is because they run sports as business.
“In another few days, we should be able to deliver for this country its first ever Sports Industry Policy. One of the middle pillars of that policy is infrastructure, the entire policies predicated on three “I”s. The first I is infrastructure. We must have infrastructural rationalization. So when I see a multi-purpose hall being built for wrestling, I see a state dedicated to a particular sport like you see in other developed nations I know Bayelsa is on the right path and will hold it as a model for other states who want to make sports business.
“I talked about three “I”s, the second I is incentive. There can be no sports development without the provision of incentives especially to the athletes but also to the organised private sector. The third I is investment.
“Both government and the private sector must invest collectively in building sports. We hope that when that is delivered, we would have built in components for the federal government, state governments and the local governments. But I think the most important leg that we have is the assembly of commissioners of youth and sports development who will work with us at the Federal level to agree on a blueprint that can be cascaded down to the states so that we are singing from the same hymn book.
“We hope at that point each state will look at the best sports in which it is heavily talented. That’s the kind of sports development we want to berth and once we deliver that blueprint, we believe that successive administrations and Ministers of sports will work with it and will run with it this time,” the Minister assured.
Bayelsa state governor represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo disclosed that the state had identified its sporting potential and is focused on combat sports and swimming.
He disclosed that the state was enlightening athletes to compete clean by abstaining from banned substances
Sports
Vipers VC celebrate captain Esther Mbah on birthday
Cyril Ogar
Vipers Volleyball Club have felicitated with their captain, Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.
In a statement signed by the Vipers VC Team Manager, Suraj Abiodun Jabar; the club described Mbah as a leader who has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the court.
The statement also praised the Nigerian international for her valuable contributions to the club.
The statement mentioned her role in guiding Vipers to a second-place finish at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Club Championship in Ghana.
It read: “The management of Vipers Volleyball Club wants to celebrate Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.
“She has been an asset to Vipers since joining the club, demonstrating outstanding commitment, dedication and leadership.
“Her contributions to the growth and success of the team have been invaluable.
“We appreciate her efforts, professionalism and the positive influence she continues to have on her teammates. We wish her more successful years ahead, good health and greater achievements.”
The club concluded its birthday message by wishing the experienced player continued success as she leads the team towards achieving more honours.
Beyond her achievements at club level, Mbah won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, further establishing herself as one of the country’s accomplished volleyball players.
She has also secured qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, adding another milestone to her growing career.
In their separate messages, board members of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, James Datuhun and Chinedu Onikeku (OLY) as well as Coordinator of Vipers VC, Samuel Onikeku wished the Nigeria international a glamorous birthday.
They hailed Esther Mbah for exhibiting a high level of leadership trait since joining the team.
The stakeholders prayed for good health and ultimately success as she prepares for the Beach Volleyball event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
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