Delta State
Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has advocated long term planning and private
sector funding as panacea for the dwindling fortunes of sports in the country.
Speaking Thursday
[08-09-16] when he received in his office the Minister of Sports and Youth
Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung and his team on a courtesy and advocacy visit
in Asaba,
Governor Okowa welcoming Mr. Dalung to his office. |
Governor Okowa stated that Nigeria failed to perform well in the last
Rio Olympics because there was no consistency in the country’s preparation for
the competition, observing that for a very long time the country has depended
on the public purse which has contracted in recent times thereby impacting
negatively on sports development in the country.
He opined that the
country needed to partner with the private sector in sports funding and
development.
"Just as we
are finding ways to diversify our economy, it is time for us to begin to look
beyond the public sector in trying to rejuvenate and create a better impact in
sports development, the governor said, adding " we must critically involve
the private sector in funding sports development in Nigeria”.
While calling
sports administrators to place emphasis on sports development and ensure long
term planning in preparations for forthcoming championships, Senator Okowa said
“people look at the competition itself with the aim of winning while the real
motive of development of sports is lost, We must identify areas were we have
comparative advantage and focus on those areas instead of being jack of all
trades and master of none.”
Dr Okowa disclosed
that his administration was committed to sports development because sports is a
veritable tool for peace building, noting that with active participation in
sporting activities, the youths would be positively engaged.
“We have it as a
policy that we don't buy athletes from other states rather we groom our own
talents because that is one of the ways we can encourage genuine development of
sports,” he said.
Earlier, the
Minister of Sports, Hon. Solomon Dalung commended Governor Okowa for his support
and contributions towards sports development in the country, explaining that he
was in the state to seek Governor Okowa’s support for the upcoming Under-17
National Youth Games.
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