Dalung Vows To Overhaul The Entire Sports Sector

The announcement was made in Abuja on Thursday shortly after the minister received the National Sports Reform Committee report presented to him by Godwin Kienka, the Chairman of the Committee.

The Sports reform committee was inaugurated in April by the minister to deliberate on how to restructure Nigerian sports.

Defending the rationale behind the initiative, Dalung said Nigeria sports needed adequate measures to reposition it as it lacked numerous functionalities.

He cited the dismal performance of the Team Nigeria at the just concluded Rio Olympic Games as part of the reasons that necessitated a state of emergency on sports.

“Part of the measures that have to be taken is a holistic appraisal of the entire sport industry,” Dalung said.

“Look at so many things, the way they have been doing them, audit some of the things that need to be audited, look at our facilities and see how we can position them in accordance with position we are.

“Following the performance of Nigeria at the last Olympics in Brazil – inspite of far-reaching efforts made to prevent a repeat of the London fiasco – we are going back, not to the normal drawing board, but to set the tone for result-oriented efforts, by ensuring functionality.

“We will begin with the implementation of this committee, holistically appraise the situation, bring this report into the mix and see how where that takes us.

“Many commentators dismissed this committee’s inauguration as a futile effort; one which would end up like the others. Today, however, I am happy to receive this report which does not only identify problems, but offers suggestions and makes useful recommendations on how to achieve these recommendations.

“I want to assure Nigerians and members of this committee – who have sacrificed so much in time and resources to make this happen – that we will implement this report and do everything to get the train moving, even if we don’t do it all in the life-time of this administration,” the minister assured.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Godwin Kienka, advised the government to implement the recommendations of the committee, adding that Nigeria never prepared for success at the Olympic Games.