ABEOKUTA– The Think Tank On Nigeria (TTON), a policy advocacy group has called on the Federal Government to prioritize the Sports development in the country, adding that the privatisation of the sector will see it enjoy more gains.
This was contained in a communique issued by the group, which contain over 250 members cut across different professions drawn from various geo-political zones of the country, and headed by Engr. Dideolu Falobi
The group stressed that government should implement policies that will aid talents development from teenage years such as the creation of facilities and culture for general sports participation
The group noted that these should also include empowering teams and academies for different age brackets where they can access trainings and develop their talents, appealing to parents on need to support their kids that have interest in sports.
“The government should work on the privatization of football-Nigeria flagship sport and all other sports while the Government remains as a regulator. The Federal and State governments should also encourage the sector by providing at least a good stadium for each town”, the communique reads
It also urged the government to ensure that every student from primary school is involved in at least 2 sporting activities, while local governments should be mandated to have a department for sporting activities.
The communique also maintained that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should have a department for sport and sporting activities and regulate, while other commercial banks need to also considered such
“The states and local governments must be proactive and innovative to seek for sponsorship from the private sector as part of their corporate social responsibility activities. Government should come up with well thought legislation that persuades private sectors to provide sponsorship for sports while enabling control, transparency and accountability for the government and as a side attraction, solid incentives for these sectors”, it said
The communique, which was endorsed by 37 members who participated at the meeting across the globe suggested that platforms should be established by the government charged with coming up with sporting activities that can keep youths busy during school vacations.
The Advocacy platform said the government should ensure that the education sector restores inter house sports, inter-school sports competitions at local governments, state and federal government levels.
“Age grade competition in all sports should also be restored as part of the talent development and identification process. Housing and Estates agencies should ensure that, there are at least moderately equipped sport centres in estates and neighbourhoods’, the communique added.
