Jonathan Committed To Sports Development – Minister

The Minister for Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja has said the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to sports development as a means of empowering the youth is total.

 The minister said this at the weekend in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen.

 He said the president had put in place all machineries through the sports ministry to ensure that Nigeria excelled in the All-African Games, at the Olympics and at other sporting events.

 “If you look at the reception that Mr President gave to our athletes, it is one of the ways of encouraging and promoting sports development generally,’’ he said.

 Adedoja noted that about 13 associations were recently hosted by the president who gave athletes cash rewards.

 He said the athletes had resolved to do the country proud as a result of the incentive and sense of belonging showed by the president.

 He added that President Goodluck Jonathan, as a sports man himself, realises the benefit of sports to both the athlete and to the nation.

 Adedoja said the president had given him a marching order to reposition sports in the country.

 He said he would like to be remembered for his efforts at rehabilitating sports facilities in the country at the end of his tenure.

 “I also want to be remembered for putting back into use the various facilities that have not been in used,’’ he said.

 He specifically said that the main bowl of the National Stadium in Lagos that had been abandoned for nine years would soon be put to full use.

Adedoja said one of his greatest joys would be to evolve a sports revolution that would promote sports at the grassroots.

 He reiterated his commitment to public private partnership in sports facility management and creating an enabling environment for the training of athletes, coaches and officials.