High points in youth and sports development under Dare
Although the Sports Ministry is usually perceived as a crown of thorns usually worn agonizingly by any Nigerian who is appointed to oversee its affairs, the incumbent Minister, Sunday Akin Dare is said to have worn the crown and is changing the dynamics of the sector with results to show.
In his one year in office, Dare’s renewed vigour and desire to succeed has changed so many wrong perceptions about the ministry and the sports sector in general.
Soon after he resumed at the ministry, he hit the ground running as he kicked off the processes of restoring the confidence of the private sector with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to bring about a revival of the once moribund youth and sports sector.
For instance, the well designed Adopt an Athlete Campaign has received widespread public commendation. For the first time ever, athletes are being adopted by individuals, corporate bodies and State Governments by providing them with direct funding for the Olympics. Without doubt, the innovation would ensure podium performances by Nigerian athletes.
There is also the Adopt-a-Pitch initiative which has seen the near completion of the Daura Town Stadium due to the support of Chief Adebutu Kesington.
It is also an open secret that through the financial support of business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote, work has commenced on the football pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna will be wearing a new look courtesy of the intervention by the Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai.
Interestingly, a task force has begun work at the National Stadium, Surulere, in a bid to return the stadium to its original master plan ahead of the concessioning process.
In addition, the Minister has secured assurances from a philanthropist who is to rehabilitate some facilities at the stadium. The Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan is also set for a facelift.
Perhaps the greatest impact is the restoration of confidence into the sector with the Sports Industry Policy which is expected to bring fundamental changes to sports development in Nigeria with its attendant impact on the national economy.
Apart from extending helping hand to serving and retired athletes who needed help especially in this era of the coronavirus chaos, Dare has also made giant strides with the resuscitation of the Principal’s Cup, Headmaster’s Cup, and the introduction of the Unity Cup.
In the same stride, the otherwise forgotten long distance races in Pankshin and Mambilla Plateau are set for revival and with it, comes hope for a resurgence in Nigeria’s performance in this event.
There is also the revival of the moribund Hall of Fame that will not only create an enduring legacy but inspire the younger generation to emulate past sporting heroes. The establishment of the Outdoor Hall of Fame is therefore not only symbolic, but an enduring legacy to immortalize Nigeria’s sporting legends.