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National Sports Festival to hold between Nov 2nd to 15th, 2022, says Sports minister

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Following the resolution of the Technical Committee of the National Council of Sports, the 21st National Sports Festival tagged Delta 2022 is scheduled to take place between November 2 – 15, 2022
Director Press and Public Relations
Mohammed Manga quoted the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare to have made disclosure on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State Capital during the extra-ordinary National Council of Sports Meeting and Inauguration of LOC for hosting of the National Sports Festival.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will continue to collaborate with the Delta State Government with a view to ensuring the successful hosting of the games.

The Minister commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the progressive and giant strides, ideas deliberately put in place to boist sports development and the entire ecosystem in the country.
In that regard, the Medium Term National Development Plan 2021 – 2024 was allocated N88billion to Sports Development and N60billion to Youth development in the next four years.
He noted that sports development under the purview of the present government has attained a new and impressive height which has invariably secured a seat at the table when it comes to allocation of resources as an area of business.

He stated further that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), have established a Department in the Ministry that is solely responsible for National Sports Festival and Para-Sports.

With this development he said, ‘’Para-Sports has been given the desired and long awaited attention’’.

While citing Sierra Leone as an example, worthy of study, Mr Dare said, ‘’we can learn something from Sierra Leone’s sports system by making all sports federations autonomous and incorporated’’. He stressed the need for the national sports federations to have annual registration from the National Sports Commission which will certify and introduce them to the Nigerian Olympic Committee as the recognized federations.

Dare commended the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the sports loving people of the state for hosting the extra-ordinary Council of Sports Meeting and granting all necessary logistics at the shortest notice.

He urged other state Governors and philanthropists to emulate Dr. Okowa who single handedly adopted the highest number of athletes as a result of his interest in sports development in the country.

While declaring the Council open, the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa described sports as a tool for youth development and national unity as well as socio-economic development of the country.

According to Okowa, ‘’sporting success does not happen by chance, it comes through years of planning, sacrifice, dedication and commitment to excellence, adding that there is still a lot to be done to our sports development as a nation.’’

He said that countries that have continually excelled at global stage put in enormous resources to discover talents and therefore treat them as national assets.

The Governor challenged the stakeholders in the industry on the need to develop a holistic approach to sports development and management in the country.

Dr. Okowa also urged the Council to develop policies and action plans to maximize the contribution of sports to national development, adding that sports has the path of building the youth with the values of discipline, team work, fair play, and essential qualities to succeed in life.

He said that necessary measures should be put in place for the development of a sport industry that can chart a way forward by lifting the nation’s teeming youth from poverty to prosperity so as to earn valuable foreign exchange for the country.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar implored the organizer and the Host State to draw their timeline of activities for effective and efficient delivery of the upcoming Festival in order to ensure the desired success.

The Council received and adopted two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of Department for National Sports Festival and Para-Sports in the Ministry and November 2 – 15, 2022 as official date for the hosting of National Sports Festival.

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Sports

Bago Makes Case for improved sports facilities, as 42nd FEPSGA opens in Minna

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The 42nd edition of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) opens in Minna, the Niger state capital with an appeal to government at all levels, individuals and cooperate organizations to take invest in sports development.
The Niger state Governor Rt. Hon Umar Mohammed Bago made the call in Minna on Thursday when he declared open, this year’s edition of the Federal civil service games.
The Governor who was represented by the Speaker of the state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji said that investment in sports development will go along way to addressing most challenges facing the country and therefore become very necessary for government at all levels to pay special attention to development of sports.
He disclosed that it was in that realization that his administration has taken deliberate steps towards providing world class sporting facilities across the state, beginning with the renovation and upgrade of the abandoned Bako Kontagora memorial stadium complex.
This he pointed out was the determination of the administration to create an environment where youths especially the athletes can thrive and achieve their full potentials.
He hinted that his government has commenced the construction of the second phase of Ahmadu Bahago Sports Complex currently hosting the FEPSGA, stressing that “the expansion will accommodate various indoor sporting activities.
The governor reminded the participants in the games that the Federal civil service games goes beyond sports but an avenue for national integration where people of different backgrounds come together to compete for trophies in a healthy and secured environment to foster a culture of brotherhood and sportsmanship.
Earlier the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yomi Esan said the essence of the annual civil service games is about the wellness and wellbeing of the civil servants in the country, adding that it is not all about winning medals and trophies.
She urged the participants to take the games serious as sports has now become a multi-billion Naira venture all over the world.
Also in his goodwill message at the occasion, the former Minister of sports and youths development, Solomon Dalong, said that investment in sports will go along way in addressing the security challenges facing the country, stressing that “if we invest in sports we will have successes in addressing about 50 percent of our security challenges in this country.
The three days turnament will end on Saturday.

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Sports minister congratulates Super Falcons over Morocco 2024 qualification

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The Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan, has congratulated the Senior Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons for edging out Cape Verde 2-1 in their last hurdle in Praia, to claim a 7-1 aggregate win thereby clinching their ticket for the African Women’s Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco in 2024.

Owan in his congratulatory message to the team, stated that Nigeria is the most successful team in the tournament, winning 9 out of 13 editions of the biennial championship.
The director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement on Tuesday quoted the minister to have indicated that the Super Falcons had displayed an impressive level of determination and teamwork, securing vital victories during the qualifiers to solidify their place in the prestigious African Women’s Cup of Nations.

The Minister explained further that the Super Falcons had not only shown their remarkable effort in showcasing the nation’s prowess on the continental stage but that their qualification for the African Women’s Cup of Nations is a testament to the dedication and talent of our exceptional players.

He added that their outstanding performance reflects Nigeria’s rich sporting heritage and unwavering commitment to excellence.

The Minister assured of the present administration’s support to women’s football in Nigeria, which he said plays a pivotal role in inspiring young athletes and fostering a culture of inclusivity and sporting prowess across the nation.

He stated that through their hard work and commitment, Super Falcons have not only secured a place in this prestigious tournament but have also inspired a new generation of aspiring female footballers.
“Their success resonates beyond the field, serving as a beacon of hope and empowerment for young women in our country” he said.

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Sports minister lauds Afriking Homes for successful handover of facility

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***Urges other private sector investors to embrace initiative

Minister of Sports and Youth Development Senator John Owan Enoh has commended the Management of AfriKing Homes Ltd for the successful completion and handover of the Abuja National Stadium Training Pitch to the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.

The Adopt-A-Pitch initiative was initiated by the former Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare

Senator Enoh during the handover ceremony held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja on Thursday, commended the organization for rehabilitating the training pitch, saying that it was a remarkable achievement not only for the football family but to the development of sports in Nigeria
Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted the minister to have
urged other private and corporate organizations to follow suit by actively participating in similar ventures under  his expanded ‘Adopt-A-Facility-Initiative’, stating that the new expansion initiative will make room to encompass other sports federations.

The Minister explained that the new initiative was designed to ensure the full implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration which recently endorsed the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) approved by the immediate past administration which classified sports as a business and not just a mere recreation.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Sports Development under his watch is ready to collaborate with the private sector organisations using this policy initiative of government to advance sports development in Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Sports Development under my leadership has also committed itself to sustaining the program under which AfriKings Homes undertook this project.
“The only difference is that it is now called Adopt-A-Facility Programme. In the wisdom of the Ministry, a facility encompasses more.
“As we deal with several other sporting federations, we want to ensure the window is open for all federations to thrive.” Senator Enoh said.

The Minister who observed that what Afriking Homes did  is no-easy feat, but that the effort was driven by passion, benevolence, love for the sports and love for the country, stated further that, “The Federal Ministry of Sports Development commends this effort and is proud of Afri Kings Homes Ltd for this gesture.
“It is a partnership that we will continue to nurture for national interest.”

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary overseeing the Federal Ministries of Sports and Youth Development Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar stated that the Federal Ministry of Sports Development will continue to create an enabling environment for the successful engagement of the corporate and private sector organisations with a view to ensuring the successful development of sports in the country, especially in the areas of grassroots sports and infrastructure upgrade so as to provide job opportunities for our teeming youth, alleviate poverty amongst them in order to foster unity, peace and stability in the nation.

In his remarks, Chairman of AfriKing Homes Ltd, Kingsley James Awodi, highlighted the company’s dedication to the project, stating that the rehabilitation of Practice Pitch 1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium was part of their corporate social responsibility to support the efforts of the Federal Government in enhancing the nation’s sporting infrastructure.

Awodi assured the Honourable Minister of their unwavering commitment to the maintenance and upkeep of the facility for the next two years.

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