‘Let’s Give The Minister More Time’- Yemi Idowu NASCOM Boss

In a swift reaction to the submission of the President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Muhammad, the Chairman, National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu, said that the sports minister should be given more time in office as the NSC boss has been busy since assuming office.

The NASCOM boss who is currently overseas on an extended trip said he understands why the NSSF boss made the comments, saying that it was borne out of his passion for grassroots sports development being the grandfather of school sports in Nigeria.

“I think since the minister resumed office, NASCOM has been trying to meet with the NSC boss but the tight schedule has been preventing this. We know that the minister is interested in school sports and this he has expressed in private capacity, which we are aware of this.

NASCOM is ready to support the minister in his efforts to develop sports at grassroots level.
Idowu, however cautioned that people should not over react about the state of school sports.

He however said that the minister should be given more time to settle in, while also expressing confidence in the NSC boss.

NSSF Queries Sports Minister’s Stance On School Sports

Since assumption of office few months ago, the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Tammy Danagogo has not made any concrete pronouncement on his vision for school sports and this alone has become a source of worry for stakeholders. From the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), this alone has become worrisome as the federation believes the ideal of the former minister, Bolaji Abdullahi should have been followed up to galvanise more support from the private sector.

According to the President, NSSF, Ibrahim Muhammad, there has not been any conscious efforts by the minister to give school sports the needed attention and support for the sports to thrive at grassroots level.

An enraged NSSF boss said: “I am surprised that up till now the minister is yet to unfold his plans for school sports in Nigeria.

The former minister tried his best and he ensured that the National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM) headed by Yemi Idowu took off in the right direction and since the committee was inaugurated, NASCOM has indeed given the needed support for NSSF and Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON). This alone brought live and vibrancy to school sports. But we are not happy that the minister is not even showing enough concern for school sports in Nigeria.”

“I could recall that at the last Sports Retreat attended by President Jonathan after the dismal performance of Team Nigeria at the 2012 London Olympics, it was unanimously agreed that school sports holds the key to sports renaissance in Nigeria and this was what prompted the then minister to bring in reputable individuals to be in charge of NASCOM.

For us, NASCOM has really done well under the leadership of Yemi Idowu and with the pace they had started, I believe by now we should have made tremendous progress in grassroots sports in the country,” he added.

He however, challenged the minister to make known his plans for school sports, saying “we need the support and backing of NSC to ensure that bodies like NASCOM is supported to lead the resurgence of school sports in Nigeria,” he said.

“For the first time in the history of school sports in Nigeria, NASCOM through Yemi Idowu was able to get private sector support for the annual National School Sports Festival held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Sterling Bank supported the games and it was a success and for us at NSSF, this is what we needed and we want this to continue so that more talents can be unearthed for Nigeria as a nation. There is no doubt that talents abound in the country but deliberate efforts must be made and the minister can spearhead this just like Bolaji Abdulhai did it with the Presidential launch of the Rhythm N Play project,” Muhammad queried.

The NSSF helmsman further disclosed that the next National School Sports Festival would hold in Otukpo, in Benue State as approval has been given for the games to hold.

For this year’s fiesta, Muhammad said the students would compete in 21 sporting events while swimming will not be part of the championship for this year.