A sports enthusiast and proprietor, Little Tigers Football Academy, Amaka Agbakoba-Onyejianya, has urged federal and state governments to set up a Sport  Trust Fund to encourage investment and boost the sector.
Agbakoba-Onyejianya gave the advice in an interview with  newsmen last Sunday in Lagos while reviewing the summer football camp for children, organised by the academy at the Campos Square, Lagos Island.
She said that government could set up a trust fund like Agriculture Funds, Small Scale Enterprises Funds and the rest for potential investors in sports.
“Nigeria now needs Sport Trust Fund just like what we have in developed nations to cater for the funding of various sports investments. Government needs to look in this direction.
“There are many potential investors willing to invest in sports but they are often hampered by inadequate funds to facilitate their various efforts.
“Sports investment may be expensive, but it is quite rewarding, especially when it comes to providing facilities and equipment that are not produced in Nigeria.
“Facilities such as mini stadiums are not enough in Nigeria and so are gymnasiums for the athletes. What we need is a special sports fund where investors can borrow from,’’ she said.
Agbakoba-Onyejianya said that the special funds for the development of youths would not only help the investors, but also help to keep young ones out of crimes.
“There are some other trust funds such as Mortgage Banks, Agricultural Funds and Infrastructure Banks; government can also set up Sports Trust Funds so as to engage our youths effectively.
“If we take a look at what can engage the youths actively now, without doubt, sports will come to mind, so, if youths have much passion for sports, why not develop it?
“If the larger part of youths won’t want to go farming but rather go into sports, that opens opportunity for all in sports; likewise we need sports funds to develop the grassroots.
“The various clubs can draw from this funds to care for their teams and I believe it will be rewarding to all, government inclusive because it will be the greatest beneficiary,’’ she said.
Agbakoba-Onyejianya said that the method of repayment of the loans collected could not be a problem because the loans secured would be for the human capacity development which might not go bankrupt.
“The funds will be well used for its purpose because it is for human capacity development and we need a holistic approach to this, not surface scratching.
“Repayment of the loan will be very easy with my experience as an investor in sports. I started my academy with just five kids but it has grown within the space of five years.
“There are many areas in sports that need investment which some investors may not be able to afford, so, setting up this trust fund will help mitigate those areas.
“Sports academies are springing up in Nigeria now in response to the demands in the world and many of these academies need help to survive and to be viable,’’ she said.
Agbakoba-Onyejianya said that many developed countries have tilted toward grassroots sports development as a means of getting their young ones out of trouble, an example is Jamaica.
“Many countries are now using sports as a means of getting their youths involved and getting them out of crimes. Nigeria can learn from the example of Jamaica.
“The way to pull youths out of ghetto is to involve them in sports. Almost all young ones enjoy one sport or the other, so we need to tap into it.