Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh has approved the upgrading of Dambe (Traditional Sport) from optional to compulsory sports in the forthcoming 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State
The upgrade was made during the 1st National Council on Sports Meeting after the demerger of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development (FMSD) at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu State.
The Council of Sports approved January 2025 as the date for the 22nd National Sports Festival activities.
Senator Enoh who doubles as the Chairman of, the National Council on Sports approved the inclusion of not more than three (3) selected Deaf Sports in the list of compulsory sports at the National Sports Festival to promote inclusivity;
In a communique obtained by www.aclsports.com, Enoh directed that relevant Articles of the Rules and Regulations guiding the Games be amended accordingly to reflect these changes.
He noted that the sport of Fives be included as one of the seven (7) optional sports that would be featured at the Games adding that FIVES is already a scoring event at the National Sports Festival.
Enoh said that targeted funding and incentives are crucial for driving grassroots sports engagements and ensuring the sustainability of sports programmes.
He supported the establishment of Sports Development and Investment Funds (NSIDF) with its attendant benefits for driving sports development in Nigeria.
He extolled the Government of Ogun State for its commitment to the successful hosting and organisation of the forthcoming 2024 National Sports Festival;
