Sports

The seed to grow sports has been sown- Sunday Dare

Published

4 months ago

May 25, 2023

Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Youth and Sports’ Development has revealed that the seed to grow and develop sports in the Country has been sown.

Sunday Dare stated this, on Wednesday, in Abuja at the valeditory event organized by Nigeria Olympic Committee, where he attributed the success recorded in his term as a result of hard work from Sports Federation’s Presidents.

According to him, I am very delighted to be here, the successes we record in sports, there is no doubt, credit goes to sports Federations, without the Federations, there would be no athletes that will make Nigeria proud.

“We toiled and labored to ensure the growth of sports and with sustainable model put in place during this period, there is no doubt, will surely help any incoming sports Minister.

“When I came on board, I promised not be a Minister for football alone and today there is no federation that did not benefit, we all saw great exploit in Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Wrestling, Boxing, Athletics, Curling, to mention but few.”

Speaking on the funding, he said that fund is the life wire of the Federations, though he lamented that funding sports federations always get from the Federal Government is insufficient despite that, some federation went ahead to do their programs, that means the federations must be given kudos.

He, however, assured that the every arrangement and needed polices have been put in place to ensure sports Federations have enough funds that will further prosper Nigeria’s Sports sector.

The outgoing Minister also called on Sports Federations to Invest and pay rapt attention to the training of Coaches that we have, conduct refreshers course saying, most of the international courses attended so far, it was discovered that Nigeria coaches lack some technical know-how.

Dare then heaped praises on the Federations who contributed to the successes made, while charging them not to relent in their efforts to take Nigeria’s Sports to greater heights.

Among the initiatives put in place that is currently bringing results are, “Adopt an Athlete” initiative, development of infrastructure, Athletes independent funds, amongst others.

In his Remarks, the President of NOC, Engr Habu Gumel said the Minister is leaving very important legacy.

According to him, his term witnessed the numerous and outstanding achievements.
He, therefore, wished the outgoing Minister well as he bowed out as the most active Youth and Sports Minister.

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Sports

NYG 2023: FG Charges Participants to compete Fairly In Spirit of Unity

Published

12 hours ago

September 23, 2023

The Gleamer

As the 2023 National Youth Games kicks off, the Federal Government has called on participants in the country to ensure they compete fairly in the spirit of Unity of the nation.

The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the charge today when he declared open the 7th edition of the National Youth Games holding in Asaba, the Delta State Capital.

The President stated that the aim of the games which was conceived in 2013 was to reposition sports at the grassroots level and to facilitate the discovery of budding talents in the country.

Represented by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, the President stated further that National Youth Games serves as an effective platform for talent identification and development as well as a level playing ground for young athletes to achieve excellence in sports and not necessarily to compete for the purpose of winning medals alone.

He explained that the Games was designed not only to enhance and elevate sports globally and regionally, but also to establish a standard for athletes’ succession from one generation to another and enable for athletes participation in their community development as well as reinvigorate national unity and collaboration amongst them.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu informed that his administration is committed to the development of sports in the country and that was why he specifically created the Ministry of Sports Development and assigned a colossus administrator, Senator John Owan Enoh to drive its affairs, in line with the policy thrust of government.

The aim he added, is to ensure that sports move from mere recreation to job creation, thereby providing opportunities for poverty reduction amongst our youth, both male and female through government’s agenda of inclusiveness thus, improving on the security of our dear nation.

The President who congratulated Delta State Government for hosting the games urged officials and athletes to compete with the spirit of fairness and togetherness, while putting the interest of the nation ahead.

He wished the athletes a fruitful competition.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori stated that since inception, the National Youth Games has proven to be a cost effective and reliable tool to promote national unity, advance development and peace at both national and sub-national levels.

He observed that if this is effectively harnessed, sports has the power to positively impact on the economic and social wellbeing of any society.

Sports, he noted, *plays a great role in the realization of development and peace, in its promotion of tolerance and respect, and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities, not to mention its health, education and social inclusiveness objectives.

The Governor noted further that the belief of the Deltans on these ideals was unshakeable and that is why he.said,*the Government of Delta State has continued to make its resources available to host national and international sporting competitions

In 2018, he added, the state hosted the African Senior Athletics Championship, and in November 2022, the 21st National Sports Festival.

Gov. Oborevwori reiterated that the Stephen Keshi Stadium has become a venue of choice for hosting national football championships, as Delta is becoming the beehive of sports in Nigeria.

He assured all participants of a peaceful and exciting games as security personnel, protocol officers, traffic management teams, and volunteers are on ground to ensure a peaceful, safe and secure environment for free and fair competition.

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