The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh will today begin discussions with sports federations today to evaluate the current situation as part of his comprehensive plan to revitalise sports in Nigeria.
He stated that resolving sports-related court cases will be a priority while focusing on outcomes that benefit the nation and prioritise the athletes’ interests.
“I have an open and neutral mind on the issue of sports cases that are in court. My meeting with all sports federations in the country will give me an opportunity to assess the federations one by one and see where there are disputes and also where there is normalcy.
“As a measure of goodwill and good faith, I will require that all disputes that are in court be withdrawn, so we can have a chance to resolve them as a ministry, he said.
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The minister explained that when disputants are given an opportunity, it provides a window to resolve lingering issues in the interests of the sports and for the love of the country.
“We spend so much time amongst sports administrators and federations in disputes and forget the athletes, who are the critical actors, competing for laurels. Without the athletes, all of the disputes and fights will make no meaning,” Enoh added.
Recently, the minister informed the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar to direct all sports federations to submit a full report of their state of affairs, to open the door for further engagements and evaluation, starting this week.
Meanwhile, Enoh has congratulated Team Nigeria for again, making the nation proud by clinching two medals in the women’s wheelchair tennis, singles and doubles categories at the 1st African Para Games tagged Accra 2023.
In his message to the team, he vowed not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring that under his watch, the existing medium already created and dedicated to coordinate, promote and manage the development of Para – Sports in Nigeria is strengthened for better performance.
