Nigeria sports summit, exhibition opens in Abuja

By Albert Akota

A 5-day Sports Summit and Exhibition Programme has opened at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the Abuja National Stadium.
The summit, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with Spring Vision International Koncept Limited is themed ‘Nigerian Sports and its economic diversification into entrepreneurial investment to enhance talents, empowerment and employment ; a security tool to make sports more productive’, aimed at empowering youths in the country to become sports entrepreneurs.
Declaring the programme open, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon said sports has not only become entertainment but a global business.
“This Summit is timely especially as sports are rated globally as the second largest employer of labour. It is focused on sports investment, resource mobilization and infrastructural development.
Its mission is to create awareness on fund generation in sports, investment potentials, infrastructure/facilities provisions, and sports business windows through Public Private Partnership, security for sports men and women as well as developing talents within the country.
In his remarks, the Speaker House of Representatives Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Sports Hon Buka Lawan congratulated the various sports federations for their recent achievements in different international competitions and expressed delight in the organization of the summit.
“I understand that the PPP unit of the Ministry of Youth and Sports is desirous of having a successful and sustainable means of advancement in terms of performance, welfare for athletes and technical crew especially sponsorship and funding for the organization of events and improved infrastructure for sports.
“As legislators we are ready to support this lofty initiative and partner with you to give the concept the attention it requires.”