Dare, stakeholders meet over implementation of National Sports Industry Policy
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has met with officials of Sports to sensitize them on the National Sports Industry Policy recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The interactive session wich was held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State comprises Honourable Commissioners/Chairmen of Sports Commissions, Presidents of National Sports Federations as well as State Directors of Sports (DOS) from the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Minister while answering questions from the journalists shortly after the meeting informed that, the interactive session was necessary especially that it provides an opportunity to intimate them on the modalities and operations of the new Policy as it has now reclassified sports as a business.
Dare stated that in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of Government, sports does not seat at the center of the table because as at then sports was not classified as a business but now, it has occupied the centre of the table in the succession Strategy of the National Development Plan 2021- 2025.
According to him, ”for the first time in history of this country under the National Development Plan 2021-2025 of President Muhammadu Buhari, the sum of N80 billion was allotted to the Development of the Sports Sector while N60 billion goes to Youth Development. This has never happened before in the history of Nigeria”, the Minister said.
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He explained that 70% of the funding to execute the Sports Development Plan will come from the private sector while 30% will come from the Government Sector which will now serve as a template to run the National Sports Industry Policy.
Dare further stated that funds are out there in the private sector and it can be better managed because they have a better legal regime and ethics to run business with high level of profitability and less wastages as well as getting returns on investment, adding that government expects large investment into the Sports Sector from the private sector to drive the Policy.
He noted that the new policy will thrive on 3 ‘i’s, infrastructure, incentives and investment, stressing that there is a new orientation to sports as it is now business and no longer a one shot approach.
Directors of Sports (DoS) and other stakeholders are now expected to look outside government sponsorship and ensure they attract private investors in several sessions of engagement for all matters of sports be it boxing, volleyball, football etc as is the practice all over the world.
He said that the interaction with stakeholders in sports will continue to ensure proper understanding and buy-in of the policy with a view to developing our sports sector in line with global reality.
Dare said that his Ministry alongside the host State is running the festival hitch free because the Ministry is alive to its responsibility of providing medals and the rest, while Delta State is to provide 75% of the sporting facilities and infrastructure according to the MoU signed.
Signed
Mohammed Manga
Director, Press and Public Relations
December 7, 2022
