… To Pay More Attention On Medal-Winning Sports

Ibrahim Bio, Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), has said that more attention would be focused on medal-winning sports to regain Nigeria’s lost glory in sports.

Bio, who said this during a facility tour of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, early in the week added that he would not concentrate on football only at the expense of other sports.

According to him, for Nigeria to regain its past glory in sports, there is a need to take more seriously, sports that will bring it glory in international competitions.

“It is common knowledge that sports in Nigeria in the past few years have been dwindling, and I think we need to strategise to regain our glory.

“It’s a pity that the last time Nigeria had the best show in sports was at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where we won gold medal in football and long jump,” Bio noted.

The minister, however, said that sports could still be revived, if concentration was placed on those areas that could secure more medals for the country.

He also said that plans were under way to encourage Niger Delta youths to be involved in professional swimming. 

The minister stressed the need to give priority attention to grass roots sports development, particularly through zonal competitions, school sports as well as the military and police games.

“I believe that with the plans for grass roots development and talent identification, we will be able to assist athletes to train abroad and also help them academically,’’ he added.