The inaugural National Council on Sports (NCS) meeting, marking a significant step in Nigerian sports development, began in Enugu on Monday.
The event, spearheaded by Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, signifies the start of various new policies aimed at transforming the sports sector in Nigeria. The council meeting is the first since the Ministry of Youths and Sports was split into separate entities.
The three-day meeting, hosted by the Enugu State Government, is set to approve transformative policies designed to enhance sports administration and development across the nation.
Mrs. Tinuke Watti, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, highlighted the importance of this meeting, which aligns with the current administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mrs. Watti emphasized the theme, "Sports for National Unity and Socio-Economic Growth," as crucial for addressing both the challenges and opportunities within the country. She underscored the unifying power of sports, stating that it transcends linguistic, ethnic, and religious barriers, fostering national unity through competition and collective pride.
Mrs. Watti called for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to sports development, encouraging partnerships between the government, private sector, and international organizations.
Expressing confidence in the expertise of those leading the technical sessions, Mrs. Watti said she believes they will develop policies to guide and improved decision-making in the sports sector.
The Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by the Deputy Governor, expressed the state's honor in hosting the NCS meeting. He recognized the assembly of sports administrators, policymakers, and stakeholders as pioneers shaping the future of Nigerian sports.
The governor urged participants to engage in open, constructive discussions and leverage their collective expertise to address the sector's challenges. Key areas highlighted for attention included infrastructure development, athlete welfare, funding mechanisms, coaching standards, and grassroots sports programs.
