By Daily Sports on July 25, 2016

The Hotsports Editors Forum, at the weekend, tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to henceforth ensure that only people versed in sports and its administration are made Ministers of Sports.

This, the forum said, would help the country avoid such embarrassing situations, where the country would be entering a competition hopeless of success.Held at the Hotsports Media headquarters in Lagos, the forum was themed ‘Team Nigeria for Gold.’

Speakers at the forum dissected the challenges facing Team Nigeria to every international competition, especially with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games less than two weeks to begin.

Among the speakers at the forum hosted by HS Media’s Chief Executive Officer, Taye Ige, were Olympics 400 metres silver medallist, Falilat Ogunkoya and 4x400m gold medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, as well as the sports editors of the country’s major media organisations.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the session, the forum noted that poor preparations for major competitions, especially, for the fast approaching 2016 Rio Olympics, is a source of concern and a reflection of an almost total collapse of the sports structure in Nigeria.

It urged the Federal Government to avoid a repeat of such poor planning by appointing those who know the intricacies of the sports terrain as ministers and permanent secretaries of the sector.

The forum called for the restructuring of sports in Nigeria, which should involve deliberate plans to revive school sports and getting passionate and credible persons with ideas to run sports federations.

It noted, “unprecedentedly high turnover of Sports Ministers in Nigeria, which in itself is an indication of having wrong people in charge of this very important area of our national life.

“Therefore, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Buhari, should forthwith ensure that only knowledgeable person is made to head the Sports Ministry.”

On the poor funding of sports in the country, the editors called for “deliberate plans to incorporate funding from the private sector with attractive waivers to get corporate organisations more involved in sports, while the government should ensure conducive environment through the provision and maintenance of sports facilities.” (Ngrguardiannews.com)

•Photo shows Olympic Silver medalist, Falilat Ogunkoya (left), Chairman, HS Media Group, Taye Ige and Olympic 4×4 relay gold medalist, Enefiok Udo-Obong,

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 25, 2016

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