The role of sports in Nigeria, cannot be overemphasised when it comes to uniting the populace irrespective of Culture, Religion and tribe.
The minister of sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Games in ilorin, handed over athletes discovered to sporting federations.
It is on record that a total number of 2,934 athletes competed in 135 events.
The purpose of the National Youth Games is to open doors for the younger athletes to showcase their talents and expose potential which is a beautiful idea, but when these athletes are handed over to the respective Federations, who will finance the athletes?
The ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Honorable Barrister Solomon Dalung is not unaware of the predicaments of the federations as they virtually depend on Federal Government for funds.
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How will the ministry of sports support the sporting federations? The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports organized the games but it is just to handover to the Federations? What is the synergy between both parties?
What will government do to support the athletes discovered or even create an avenue for the athletes to be empowered? Nigeria have a high performance centre in Port Harcourt but under utilized.
Outside the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the Federal Government of Nigeria can put up a program like the Amensty and Agricultural loans where at least a number of athletes can access scholarship and pay stipends yearly to these selected individuals.
Since the Federations were sworn in, most have not been able to access funds from government, hence missing of tournaments. Notable exception has been the basketball teams. D’Tigress won her third Africa Basketball championship while D’Tigers won a silver medal.
