National President of United Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (UYSFON) Chief Godspower Kokoriko says sports is one of the major ways of rehabilitating and re-integrating the pardoned militants into the society.
Chief Kokoriko made public his view in a chat with Tidesports on Wednesday, saying that rehabilitation should not only be concentrated in skills and crafts.
The sports administrator said aside from football, other sports such as judo, karate, boxing as well as swimming should be exploited as a means to engage the minds of the youths.
The National Youths Sports Federation boss cited the case of Mike Tyson who was discovered during rehabilitation, adding that is an example of how sports an be used to empower an individual despite his or her ugly part.
Frowning at the poor sports facilities at the Social Rehabilitation Centre at Okehi in Etche Local Government Area, Chief Kokoriko argued that what is on ground is not enough to contain the militants, especially in the recreational aspect.
“Sports is a powerful weapon to tackle youth restiveness and other vices”, Kokoriko remarked.
He called on the Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Rehabilitation, not to confine the repentant militants in one place but to establish centres with sports facilities in other centres like Port Harcourt, Okrika, Bonny and Opobo.
Other activities Kokoriko recommended include organising football competitions for the groups, stressing that such competitions would unify warring parties and take their mind away from drugs and instil peace in the state.
The football administrator also tasked churches and other religious groups to establish fish farms and other ventures to assist in rehabilitating the militants, emphasising that all efforts should not be concentrated on the spiritual aspect.

Youths in basket ball competition