Writing By Salihu TSIBIRI; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
House of Representatives is to intervene towards ensuring adequate funding of Sports to enable the sector contribute immensely in reducing crime and unemployment rate in the country.
Newly appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Alhaji Kabiru Amadu Mai Palace, gave the assurance during a meeting with members of the committee in the National Assembly complex Abuja.
Alhaji Kabiru Amadu Mai Palace, who described sports as a potential source of generating foreign exchange to countries all over the world expressed concern that the sector has been suffering in Nigeria.
While pledging his resolve to reposition the Committee for optimum performance, Alhaji Amadu Mai Palace, solicited for the cooperation of the stakeholders to advance the cause of sports in Nigeria to an enviable status.
“The Committee’s work plan is before you for consideration and input. However, it is apposite to note that, Sports is a veritable instrument of reducing crime and unemployment if optimally pursued. It generates big foreign exchange to Countries all over the World”
He confirmed that the committee would engage the appropriate authorities to painstakingly look into the challenges contending the entire sports federations with a view of overcoming them for the betterment of the vibrant and articulated Nigerian youth.
In his contribution, a member of the committee from Bauchi State Alhaji Aliyu Baffa Misau, who expressed worry over the decaying State of the nation’s sports facilities, assured that the the new leadership of the committee will do everything possible to change the narration.
He described as unfortunate that out of the 40 federations in Nigeria only 20 are functioning while five of them were receiving funds from the government.
“The issue of decaying sporting infrastructure across the country especially the national stadia should be urgently looked into and addressed through adequate budgetary allocation”
Alhaji Aliyu Baffa Misau, also stressed the need for government to be more proactive in finding the sports activities and avoid sentiment in employing capable hands that can manage the sector to allow Nigeria return to its position in sports worldwide.
COV /TSIBIRI
