By Andrew Abah
In a bold move to revive grassroots sports and empower youth nationwide, the House Committee on Sports has launched a large-scale distribution of sporting equipment to all 360 federal constituencies in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled Wednesday at the National Assembly, Abuja, is spearheaded by the House Committee on Sports in collaboration with the National Sports Commission. It is designed to promote youth participation in sports and facilitate talent discovery through the provision of essential kits, including football boots, training gear, and jerseys.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, called on lawmakers to prioritize investments in sports development over infrastructure projects that often remain incomplete. He emphasized the urgent need to return to grassroots-level sports as a foundation for national achievement on the global stage.
“It is unacceptable that a country of over 230 million people returns from international competitions without medals, while smaller nations excel,” Abbas said. “To reclaim our sporting glory, we must rebuild from the ground up.”
The Speaker criticized the widespread establishment of underutilized skill acquisition centers and urged legislators to instead channel resources into community-based sports initiatives. He praised the Sports Committee’s effort as a significant and timely intervention.
“This is the first time I have seen the Sports Committee exceed expectations within such a short period. Their work is exemplary and should be replicated by other committees,” Abbas added.
Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu (Mai Palace), reaffirmed the House’s commitment to reinvigorating grassroots sports across Nigeria. He noted that every constituency would receive a share of the distributed equipment, with lawmakers responsible for ensuring the materials reach local communities.
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“This is more than a symbolic gesture. It’s a strategic step toward reviving sports engagement and nurturing talent at the grassroots,” Amadu, who represents Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency stated.
He also announced that the next phase of the program would focus on the construction of mini-stadiums across the country, providing a sustainable foundation for long-term sports development.
