Dare demands new-look National Sports Commission as SWAN calls for inclusion

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has declared his support for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) but is asking for a newlook Commission in line with what obtains in other parts of the world.

The Minister made this observation during yesterday’s Public Hearing for the Bill to return the National Sports Commission and establish the Federal Sports University, Nkalagu Ebonyi state.

He said “Let me thank the chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports and all the Committee members on behalf of all sports loving Nigerians for undertaking this public hearing. It demonstrates your interest in the development of sports in our country.

“But beyond that interest is the commitment to see that necessary actions and legislations are in place to guide sports development in Nigeria. Amending the existing Decree 34 of 1971 which is still subsisting or promising a new bill are possible options.

“We have in the past 18 months been busy working with critical stakeholders to deliver a new sports industry policy (NSIP) that will change the face and fundamentals of our sports development.

“It is an attempt to build a business model around sports in Nigeria so that like we have in North America, Europe, South Africa and other climes, Nigeria’s sports development can be driven by both government and private funds”

Meanwhile, the chairman of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, Bunmi Haruna in his presentation at the Public Hearing called for the inclusion of the body on the National Sports Commission (NSC) board.

“Those who should have a say in sports should be part of the National Sports Commission, NSC. Hence, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) should be included in the board.

“Sports is business and SWAN is the vehicle on which it is sold, so neglecting SWAN in the composition of the NSC is omitting an important part of the commission,” he said.