By Dayo Adu
Should government continue to unnecessarily interfere in sports, it is bound to stunt its growth in the country.
Speakers made the remark in their various presentations at the 2023 Sports Summit organised by the Department of Outside Broadcast and Sports, Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Zonal Station.
The speakers, who spoke on the theme, Sports as a Business Catalyst were of the opinions that over the years, management of the sports sector had been policitised, hence, the low performance and rating of the Nigeria contingents at international tournaments.
Speaking on government interference, ineptitude and lack of accountability a veteran sports Journalist and retired Director of OB and Sports at Radio Nigeria headquarter Abuja, Mr. Shina Abimbola explained that people saddled with the responsibility of administration of sports and maintenance of facilities are often inexperienced, and this remains injurious to the sector.
Mr Abimbola canvassed for discipline in the Federal Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Commission to attract sponsorship and partnership of the private sectors to boost the nation’s sports development.
In another presentation, Chairman Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Isaac Ogala called on Government to create sports friendly environment for games to thrive.
Mr. Ogala enjoined government to desist from politicising sports, bring back its culture in public schools and reward outstanding performance.
The Zonal Director FRCN Ibadan Zonal Station Mr Dominic Mokikan, represented by Deputy Director Engineering Services, Engineer Gabriel Ajayi called on government to tap into the business opportunities in sports to tackle the economic challenges of the nation.
Chairman on the occasion, Mr Benjamin Okorie charged the national sports management to explore opportunities in cycling to shore up the nation’s glory among the comity of nations.
Winner of gold medal in table tennis at the first National Sports Festival in 1973, Alhaji Waheed Ẹkùn, who lamented his being not compensated till his retirement 30 years ago, advocated the creation of enabling environment and adequate reward for Nigerian sports talents.
Member of the Federal House of Representatives from Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engineer Remi Oseni, represented by Alhaji Niyi Yusuf, charged Nigerians to renew interest in the national sporting league so as to boost the business opportunities inherent in the sector.
Earlier in an address of welcome, Deputy Director OB and Sports, Dr. Abiodun Ogidan noted that playing politics with the nation’s sports sector would inhibit talent discovery in the country.
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