NOSA EGHAGHA
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has called on the National Sports Federations to look inward and ensure they develop programmes and initiatives that will attract private sector investors in the development of sports in the country
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, gave the charge in his office in Abuja, during the joint meeting with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and Presidents of National Sports Federations.
He stated that sports has now moved from mere recreation to a business, thus, it behoves on the leadership of all the federations to now begin to explore ways to attract private sector investors both international and local so as to help effectively drive their sports and not exclusively depending on government for funding, this he said, is the practice the world over.
Senator Owan Enoh stated further that there are many private sector organisations that are willing to invest in sports in Nigeria but that the federations needs to step up rewarding activities that will attract them.
He stressed that government can no longer fund the sector alone and that is why the present administration in its wisdom, recently endorsed the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) approved by the immediate past administration in the renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration to provide opportunities for the private sector participation in the development of sports in Nigeria.
The Minister informed that the policy outlines some incentives that can attract private sector investors such as “tax exemption and rebate for a period of five years for investors in the value chain of sports; land provision and waiver for certain fees on lands meant for sports; single digit loan interest rates for corporate organisations and private individuals investing in the sports value chain as well as independent Government Grant through the establishment of an Independent Athletes Welfare Fund (AWF) from which athletes representing the country can draw support for education and trainings amongst others.”
Enoh explained that government is not shielding its responsibility of funding the Federations but that it is determined to open up the sector to allow for private sector participation in order to provide opportunities for job creation, poverty alleviation as well as enhance the unity of the nation.
While reminding them of the role of sports in the promotion of social cohesion, unity, peace and understanding between the diverse ethnic groups, religions and culture across the country, the Minister assured that the Ministry of Sports Development under his watch is working towards acquiring appropriations to support the federations for the effective discharge of their duties in line with the policy thrust of the government.
He, therefore, called on them to step up important and relevant programmes that will woo in the corporate and private organisations to join hands and compliment the efforts of the Federal Government in the development of sports in line with global best practices.
