The Minister of Sports, John Owan Enoh, has assured that the Federal Government will begin implementing the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) as part of President Bola Tinubu’s plan.
Agenda of renewed hope.
The immediate past government of Muhammadu Buhari approved the NSIP to provide opportunities for business and private sector participation in the development of sports in the country. But he could not implement it before his term expired.
Speaking yesterday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Enoh said the current administration has supported the NSIP as both the corporate and private sectors play critical roles in sports sponsorships and infrastructure improvement, adding that politics has also provided the opportunity to move sports away from mere recreation. To negotiate
He added that one of the key policy objectives of the current administration is that sports can be used as a source of unity, peace and stability of the country, job creation and provide opportunities for inclusion in participation in sports for both men and women. .
He explained that the government intends to establish mechanisms to engage with the newly discovered talents in the recently concluded National Youth Games (NYG) with a view to securing scholarships for their advancement to the elite stage.
Senator Owan Enoh also said that the Federal Government would build facilities and infrastructure at the grassroots level across the country to provide early exposure and grooming to budding talents.
Explaining that investment and funding in sports largely comes from both the corporate and private sectors around the world because it is a huge and vast area, the minister recalled that there was a time when the private sector was more involved in financing sports and granting scholarships.
“One of the main objectives of the ministry now is to see how we can go back and sell ourselves to the private sector, to see to what extent we can build trust so that the Ministry’s competitions and initiatives can have the backing and enormous support of the private sector,” he said.
On rewarding excellent athletes, Senator Owan Enoh recognized the fundamental role
Welfare influences the overall performance of athletes and he assured that the ministry would not only establish a well-planned welfare scheme to cater for active and non-active athletes but would also ensure that the country recognizes their contributions through various honours.
He said: “Anyone who has had reason to fly the national flag high, represent the country, we should be able to show gratitude and appreciation because it is not an easy feat.”
