The minister of sports development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has reassured the federal government’s commitment to prioritise the funding of sports in the country.
Enoh made the vow while briefing pressmen at the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba.
He said his ministry will work with all sports federations to determine focus areas through budgetary submissions, stating that his experience in this area while serving as the chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriation led him to proactively direct on the necessary steps to take for the proper funding of sports in the country.
“The only way to provide for the proper funding of sports is to look at the number of federations, an itemization of their peculiar activities, and to provide as needed,” Senator Enoh said. “For example, if in 2024, a particular sport will undertake training, participate in competitions (both local and international), the only way to solve the incident problem of lack of funds, athletes missing out on competitions because of finances, is to provide for all of these ahead of time.”
“As much as possible, I am going to push for this to be done, because it is the only way that we can properly budget for sports development. The ministry is desirous of making credible progress in this regard,” The Honourable Minister concluded.
