Sports Minister inaugurates federation presidents, boards

... Business and Technical Workshop Session Underway

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare Friday inaugurated the Presidents and boards of Sports Federations charging them to roll up their sleeves for the task of deepening development of Sports in Nigeria. 

The Minister while congratulating the new board executives emphasized the need for them to work as a team while restating the need to be guided by established processes, procedures and Code of Governance of National Sports Federations in the discharge of their responsibilities. “As you are aware, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s core responsibilities are focused at facilitating youth and sport development through the establishment of a conducive policy environment that provides strategic support systems and sport policy implementation, amongst other functions. The Ministry coordinates the formulation and review of policies and legislation in order to provide a framework for effective implementation of youth and sports programs”, Dare reaffirmed. 

“Let me also stress that the future of the various sports is now in your hands, the career of our young athletes under your Federations is now in your hands and history will judge you how you have positively or otherwise impacted Sports in your respective governing bodies”, the Minister added. 

In line with the reclassification of sports from recreation to business as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister revealed that a new business orientation will be pursued, tasking the board of each Federation to adopt and bring about a business approach to its operations. Dare further gave a marching order to the newly inaugurated 28 Sports Federations to within six months begin the process of formulating the Federations’ constitution in line with the dictates of various international Federations with the inputs and guidance of the Ministry to ensure domestication and operation in tandem with Nigerian laws and Sports Industry policy.

The Minister charged the board of Federations to settle down to business and avoid the acrimonious relationships that beset some associations in the past. He intimated the new Executives that a 2-day technical and business workshop for capacity building will be organized in collaboration with the Edo State Government, and held in Edo State in the coming weeks.

Lawrence Iquaibom ready to team up with Dr. Abdul to grow Weightlifting

The South South Representative on the board of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Lawrence Iquaibom has declared his readiness to work with President-elect NWF, Dr Ibrahim Abdul for the overall progress of weightlifting.

Iquaibom stated this after the successful election of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Package B in Abuja.

The ex-Commonwealth Games Champion said he and the President share the same ideology for the growth of weightlifting in Nigeria.

He said, “I accept the result of the election and very heartily congratulate my brother and friend, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, on his emergence as the President of NWF while also declaring my intent to work with him for the overall progress and development of the sport which has made me who I am today.

“Having worked at close quarters with Dr. Ibrahim Abdul who is the Chairman of the FCT Weightlifting Association and the immediate past Chairman of the NWF caretaker committee with me as member, I can attest to the fact that we share the same ideologies for the growth of the sport in the country. I had no difficulty stepping down and queuing behind him.”

The category one International weightlifting referee expressed profound to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; former President of Nigeria Judo Federation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare; Senior Special Assistant on sports to Akwa Ibom state Governor; Elder Paul Bassey amongst others.

He said, “I am grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his support before, during and after the elections. I am deeply grateful to His Excellency Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. I am honoured that the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare found me worthy to be appointed into the NWF caretaker committee.

“I am delighted that the Deputy Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Youth, Sports and Security, Otuekong Nse Essien threw his weight behind my aspiration and has always presented his shoulders for me to lean on all these years. Also at the receiving end of my in-depth appreciation is the Akwa Ibom state Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, whose support for me during the electioneering and over the years has been immeasurable.

“I am profoundly thankful to Elder Paul Bassey, my elder brother and Senior Special Assistant on sports to Akwa Ibom state Governor under whose guidance I have continued to grow. I am deeply appreciative of the support I enjoyed from my loving family, my colleagues at NWF, my dear lifters, coaches, referees and stakeholders all over the country including the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) across the 36 states of the Federation including FCT."

Dr Ibrahim Abdul reels out plans for Nigeria Weightlifting Federation

The newly elected President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul has reeled out his plans for the federation in the next four years.

Dr Abdul told newsmen on Friday that the Federation will ensure the welfare of the athletes and coaches (Officials and Referees) are paramount.

He said the NWF will partner with the Military and Para Military Organisations in order to create employment opportunities for weightlifters

He said, “The new board wants to complement on the efforts and achievements of the former President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Late Yahaya Mohammed. At the 2019 African Games in Morocco, the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation won the highest medals for the country. This current board wants to surpass the African Games record and feature at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

“The board also wants to focus and meet up equipment deficit in the Federation. 

“We want to collaborate with the Military and Para Military Organisations in order to create employment for weightlifters and the board will take the issue of Anti -Doping seriously.”

Tokyo 2020: Igali wants private sector investment in sports, says 'there are no shortcuts to success

 

By Akin Bolarinwa 

Bayelsa state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Daniel Igali has called for private sector to invest more in sports development. 

The Caretaker boss of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation advocates for a private driven sports environment because government alone can not fund sports. 

"I only wish the private sector will be more motivated and involved in our Olympic preparations and multi sport games and the preparation of our athletes". 

The Former Olympian stated that, Nigerians must also provide the needed manpower to support the federations both in administration and on the technical level ground.

 

"Why can’t we individually and collectively donate to support these athletes all through the 4 years," Igali asked rhetorically? Adding that "if we do then we should be expecting medals at every Olympics."

The former member of the Bayelsa state house of assembly declared that, there are no shortcuts to success except provision of sufficient funds and proper planning and that should be our main focus immediately after the conclusion of this event.