Connect with us

News

Minister Enoh Meets SPRF Board, Wants Sports Sector Open To Private Investors

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh has stated that sports development in Nigeria is now open to corporate and private investor participation.

Senator Owan Enoh disclosed this today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja when the Board Members of Sports Performance Reward Fund (SPRF) led by its President Engr Musa Kida visited him.

He informed that the Ministry under his watch will remain open to collaboration with the corporate and private sector organizations in its resolve to ensure the development of sports in the country especially in such areas as grassroots sports development, scholarships for our athletes and infrastructure upgrades amongst others.

This is important, especially in this era of dwindling scarce resources. The Ministry is ready to collaborate and partner with the private and corporate sector organizations to provide them with the opportunity to compliment Government efforts towards the engagement and empowerment of our teeming youth so as to create jobs for them, alleviate poverty amongst them and position them for success in their fields of endeavour. This will also make our society better and safer for further investments by both the public, private and corporate organizations he said.

The Minister stated that the present administration under the Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is conscious of this reality which is why in its wisdom, created the Ministry of Sports Development, and assigned him to saddle its affairs.

Senator Owan Enoh stated further that government in its renewed Hope Agenda has also endosed the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration. A Policy Document that spelt out the benefits of the public private partnership as well as private sector involvement in the development of sports in Nigeria. The Document promotes such initiatives that help nurture the relationship that is private sector driven

He expressed optimism that with the calibre of the people that constitute membership of the Board of Sports Performance Reward Fund (BSPTF) which includes amongst others, the former Minister of State for Petroleum and later Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, Professor Wale Sulaiman a world renowned Neurosurgeon as well as other distinguished personalities, if the potential of the initiative to Reward Nigerian podium finish athletes at international competitions is galvanised and rev-up, the development of youth sports within the country from the grassroots all the way to the Olympic heights will soon be achieved.

He therefore called on the Board Members of SPRF and indeed the private sector organizations to come out en mass and join hands with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration to ensure the development of sports in Nigeria in line with global best practices.

Earlier in his remarks, the President Sports Performance Reward Fund, Engr Musa Kida thanked the Honourable Minister for the support and encouragement he has given the SPRF since his assumption of office and in receiving them inspite of his busy schedule.

He explained that, the reason why men and women of proven integrity who have been outstandingly successful in their various fields of endeavour have come together to birth and drive the Sports Performance Reward Fund was to establish a guaranteed and sure reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth; make sports an oasis of excellence in Nigeria by complementing government efforts, and also to drive and motivate Nigerian Youth with sporting talent to put in the hard work and sacrifice required to be the best in the world.

Engr Kida expressed confidence that with the support of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration, we can collectively make Nigeria a sustainable Global Superpower in all sports in not-too-distant future.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

FIFA Mandates Player Rest To Combat Burnout

FIFA Mandates Player Rest To Combat Burnout

The global players’ union, Fifpro, has secured a significant victory in its battle to protect top stars against injury and burnout, with Fifa agreeing to the principle of introducing mandatory rest periods.

After talks in New York on Saturday, on the eve of the Club World Cup final, involving the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, and senior Fifpro officials, the world governing body released a statement saying both parties had reached a consensus on the need for a 72-hour gap between games during the season, as well as a three-week period of rest during the summer. Fifa’s launch of the expanded 32-team Club World Cup has led to fresh concerns being raised about player welfare, with Fifpro and the Professional Footballers’ Association filing a lawsuit with the EU last year accusing Fifa of abusing its dominant position by expanding the fixture calendar without consultation.

On the eve of the tournament in the United States, Fifpro issued a list of demands for 12 new safeguards for player-wellbeing, including a mandatory four-week post-season break, mid-season breaks and workload limits for academy players under the age of 18. Amid the high temperatures which have been a feature of the Club World Cup, Fifpro’s medical director, Dr Vincent Gouttebarge, called for half-time breaks to be extended to 20 minutes. Fifpro has yet to comment after Saturday’s meetings but is understood to regard Fifa’s acknowledgment of the need for mandatory rest periods as a significant first step.

A Fifa statement said: “The meeting addressed key issues concerning player health [men and women], a top priority given that it forms part of the occupational risk prevention framework established by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Fifa and the player unions reviewed upcoming joint projects involving the world’s football governing body and players’ representative organisations, with a specific focus on player rest and recovery, as well as competitions within the context of the international match calendar [IMC].

“There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period/holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season. This period should be managed individually by each club and the respective players depending on their match calendars, and taking into account applicable collective agreements.

“Furthermore, a rest day per week should also be planned, whilst being managed pragmatically. In addition, it was discussed that player travel – especially long-haul intercontinental trips – and the climatic conditions under which matches are played, should be considered when defining policies for the upcoming IMC.”

While Fifa’s statement conceded the need to strike a balance between club and international competitions, it also made clear that they will not back down from the principle of creating more global events. “Regarding competitions, Fifa and the player unions agreed on the importance of striking the right balance between national team football and club football on the one hand, and between domestic, continental and global club competitions on the other hand.

“It is important to create opportunities for players from all over the world to compete in top competitions as this boosts global football development. Additionally, offering more playing opportunities to players who are not at the highest international level was also identified as a priority.”

Fifpro is waiting to discover whether the EU will pursue its legal claims as a test case but has been encouraged by the European court of justice’s ruling on the European Super League last year, which noted that Uefa should be wary of abusing its historical dominance by claiming to have a monopoly over organising competitions.

Uk.sports.yahoo.com

Continue Reading

News

Messi Extends MLS Record With Latest Brace

Messi Extends MLS Record With Latest Brace

Lionel Messi extended the Major League Soccer record for scoring multiple goals in successive games to five with another double as Inter Miami beat Nashville 2-1 on Saturday.

The Argentina forward scored in each half to draw level with Nashville’s Sam Surridge at the top of the MLS scoring charts with 16 goals in 16 games.

Messi has scored twice in each of those five games, starting with wins over Montreal and Columbus in May, before competing at the Club World Cup.

The 38-year-old scored once in four games as Miami reached the Club World Cup last 16, before returning to the MLS with further doubles against Montreal, New England Revolution and now Nashville.

He opened the scoring in Fort Lauderdale with a low free-kick that went through the Nashville wall after 17 minutes.

Hany Mukhtar levelled for the visitors early in the second half, but Messi intercepted a loose pass from Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis to score what proved to be winner after 62 minutes.

The victory keeps Miami in fifth place in the Eastern Conference but moves them to within five points of leaders of Philadelphia with three games in hand.

Bbc.com

Continue Reading

News

Boniface Prefers Germany, Spain Over Premier League

Boniface Prefers Germany, Spain Over Premier League

Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, has revealed why he wouldn’t fancy a move to the English Premier League, according to Soccernet.ng.

The 24-year-old had a brilliant debut season at the Bay Arena, but his second season was a little less so, largely due to the injury problems he suffered.

During the winter transfer window, Al-Nassr were interested in Boniface, but they signed Colombian forward, Jhon Duran instead.

The former Union Saint-Gilloise man has been linked with an exit from Die Werkself, with Newcastle United and AC Milan interested.

The one-time Bundesliga winner has always been clear that he prefers a move to La Liga over England, stating a preference for the style of football in Spain.

“I don’t really like the Premier League. It’s not like if I have the opportunity to go, I won’t take it,” the 2024 UEFA Europa League finalist said on The Culture League podcast alongside Frank Onyeka.

“If I’m going to make that move, it has to be to a certain type of team. “Before I agree to a transfer or join a club, I always look at the type of football they play.

“Will it suit me? Is it a team with too much pressure? because some players can’t perform well under pressure.

“So before I moved to Leverkusen, I had a great season in Belgium. There were offers from England, good money, but I just didn’t want to join that kind of team.

“If you put me in a possession-based side, I’ll give you everything. I can go to a club and be the standout player, but we might lose a game, and everyone points fingers at me.

“From the grassroots level, that’s how I’ve always played. If I’m on the pitch, I bring everyone along with me,” the Super Eagles star concluded.

Boniface is now set for his third season in Germany, this time under Erik Ten Hag, after Xabi Alonso moved to Spain to join Real Madrid.

Continue Reading

Trending