By: Gracious Akujobi The Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter, Godwin Bamigboye, has advocated the immediate establishment of the FCT Sports Development Fund.
According to him, the Fund will accelerate sports development in the Federal Capital Territory and quick realization of projects like the Abuja Sports Academy and the Abuja Sports Village.
The Coaches’ chairman stated that the establishment of FCT Sports Development Fund will serve as a catalyst for genuine and sustained sports development in the Federal Capital Territory in particular and also serve as a model or reference point to the 36 States of Nigeria in general.
It shall be a form of Public Private Partnership (PPP). He added that the FCT Sports Development Fund shall augment Government’s huge expenditure in sports. ‘’Since Government alone cannot fund and manage sports, this carefully premeditated initiative is a veritable solution’’.
The Fund, he stated further is expected to serve the following purposes and many more others:
– Fundraising: It shall raise fund in different ways such as fund raising dinner, Charity Match, Lottery, Jogging/ walking for charity, partnership and collaboration with Local and International Organizations, Construction Companies, Mortgage Institutions, Banks, Government Agencies – NOA, NTDC, NAFDAC, NACA etc, Telecommunication Companies, among others.
– Athlete Development: Training and Retraining, Sponsorship for trials for local and international recruitment, Training Tours (domestic and International).
Athlete Welfare: Introduction of pension scheme for athletes who are not employed in any public or private organization. Encourage and actualize investment and entrepreneurial consciousness in athletes.
– Coaches Welfare: Training and re-training, Introduce pension scheme, entrepreneurial and investment consciousness to coaches.
– Assist in the realization of the Abuja Sports Village and Abuja Sports Academy.
Augment government effort in the provision of sports infrastructure and equipment such as training pitches, aerobic equipment, schools sports development etc.
He therefore, requested the Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed to consider for immediate implementation the suggestion from the Association which he describes as a veritable solution to sports development in the Federal Capital Territory.
