Sports minister has begun Assessment Meetings with the all sports federation on Tuesday.
He said room will be given for crises to be settled in national interest.
In a move to reposition sports in the country, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has announced his plan to engage with all sports federations in Nigeria. These engagements, which have already commenced on Tuesday, will entail a comprehensive assessment of the state of affairs within each federation.
Senator Enoh highlighted the need to withdraw all sports cases currently pending in court to create an atmosphere conducive to settling disputes in a manner that serves national interests and the welfare of athletes. With an open and neutral mind, the minister intends to evaluate each federation individually during the meetings.
“I have an opportunity to assess the federations one by one and identify areas of dispute as well as instances of normalcy,” stated Enoh. He further stated that “As a measure of goodwill and good faith, I will require that all disputes currently in court be withdrawn, allowing us to resolve them within the ministry.”
The minister believes that providing disputing parties with an opportunity for resolution will not only serve the interests of the sports industry but also demonstrate the nation’s commitment to its athletes. “Without the athletes, all of the disputes and fights will have no meaning,” he added.
Senator Enoh aims to shift the focus away from positions and offices, directing attention towards athletes and their development. He expressed his willingness to consider suggestions and approaches that can address the lingering issues and teething problems that have plagued the sports industry.
To initiate this process, the minister instructed Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, to request all sports federations to submit comprehensive reports on their current state of affairs. The reports will lay the groundwork for further engagement and evaluation, starting this week.
This initiative by Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of Sports Development, demonstrates a commitment to reforming sports in Nigeria by addressing existing disputes and focusing on the well-being of athletes. Through open dialogue and a collective effort, the ministry hopes to achieve the desired results and elevate the nation’s sporting standards.
