An entertainment mogul, Donatus Okonkwo, has promised to support the sports industry by creating platforms to aid mentoring of local sportsmen by renowned international sports heroes.
Okonkwo, who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Lagos, said that capital investment in sports would trigger socio-economic activities that would generate resources for economic transformation.
“I have decided to create platforms that will not only mentor talented sportsmen who have passion for a particular sport but showcase them to the world for better opportunities,” he said.
According to him, government and private investors needed to redirect focus to the development of entertainment and sports to create more opportunities for youths to curb other vices.
“We have all it takes to deal with the persistent rise of unemployment and underemployment.
“But over time, we invest in sectors that do not yield resources well enough to either carter for youth or government needs.
“Our streets are littered with jobless but talented sportsmen who will make world records if given the opportunity they truly need to express their gifts.
“Why won’t government invest into sporting facilities that will give opportunity for these sport talents to showcase their skills and attract the rest of the world,” he said.
Okonkwo, also, Chairman, Tettrazzini Group of Companies, added that the role of sports in curbing violence in youths and unifying people from all works of life cannot be over emphasised.
“It is not news saying our government spends heavily purchasing security equipments to keep our streets safe from criminal activities rather than investing in sports development that will deal with restiveness and unemployment.
“If we build sports facilities, it will deal with thuggery, criminality and other forms of restiveness because these guys will be actively engaged in one sport or the other rather than sit idle,’’ he said.
He urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to create enabling environment for foreign and private investors to thrive in reinstating sports to its heights.
Tidespsorts gathered that Zzini Media will be hosting famous world boxing champion and boss of The Money Team (TMT), Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr in Nigeria and Ghana for his hospitality and mentoring tour.
The Africa tour which is billed to kick off from June 12 to June 14, will include FCT, Lagos, Anambra States after which the next point of call will be Accra, Ghana.