We’ll Deliver Four Football Pitches Says Sport Minister

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has intimated the public of some of his plans for the Youth and Sports sector this year.

In a series of tweets in the early hours of the first day of 2020, the Minister outlined some of the plans of the Ministry to ensure Sports and the Youth of Nigeria are taken to the next level in line with the agenda of the Buhari administration.

“Talks are ongoing concerning the renovation of the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, formerly, Liberty Stadium with government and a few private individuals. Our goal is to deliver four FiFA standard pitches by the first quarter of 2020 by God’s Grace,” he wrote.

“Our short term Sports Development Plan for the next 2 years gradually unfolds. It is focused on Infrastructure, Athletes Welfare, Grassroot Sports and Sports as a viable business. Abuja Stadium is on its way back, National Stadium Lagos is set for concession not forgetting the Ahmadu Bello Stadium,” he added.

The Minister also disclosed that talks are ongoing for the renovation of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium with government and a few private individuals. “Our goal, he wrote, is to deliver four FIFA standard pitches by the first quarter of 2020 by God’s Grace.

“The ministry will in 2020 monitor and ensure the completion of about 20 mini-stadiums across the country. The Imo-model of one mini-Stadium per Local government by each state will be marketed.

On plans for the teeming Nigerian youth, the Minister wrote, “the government will provide and open up more opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition working with strategic implementation partners. In this regard, this government is in a hurry to ratchet up the numbers of engaged Youth.

The Minister promised to do all within the Ministry’s powers to ensure that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan counts for Nigeria and Nigerians. “Our athletes will be exposed to the best training, competitions and camping possible. The process is already ongoing- and will be sustained.”

On plans to boost grassroots sports development, the Minister hinted that the Headmasters’ Cup for primary Schools and Principals Cup are making comeback, along with a new Talent Hunt Program, THP, which he said is being finalized.
“Adoption Initiative is birthed and the policy to turn sports into business are being pursued among other things.”

He further assured of the Federal Government’s commitment towards increasing the level of investment in the youth as the slew of new youth engagements unfold and the previous ones are strengthened and consolidated through partnership with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.