Funding challenge for sports has been in existence for ages – Sports Minister

The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, has pledged to address funding challenges in sports in the country.

Enoh made this promise on Thursday in Abuja at a technical meeting with Sports federations ahead of the 13th African Games in Ghana from March 8 to March 24.

According to him, funding has always been a challenge in the development of sports in the country, and relying wholly on the government for funds was no longer tenable.

“The challenge of funds in sports has been in existence for so long and every day we keep talking about it.

“I am determined to solve that challenge even if we have to go ahead and amend existing laws to see what provisions these laws can make to fund our sports.

“Depending solely on the yearly appropriation from the government can never be a solution, meaning there must be a way out of it.

”Also coming from a background where I chaired and worked in a finance committee at the Senate and House of Representatives, I have a determination and commitment to see how we can end and tackle this challenge.

“If by the end of this year, I am still going to go back, depending on the government for 100 percent funding for the Ministry, then it means that there is more that is required to be done,” he said.

The Minister called on the federations to push for a podium finish at the Games, where Nigeria will be participating in 23 sports and three demonstration sports.