Sen. John Owan-Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, has pledged to prioritize athletes’ welfare and improvement in sports facilities across the country in his bid to reposition sports.
Enoh stated this on Wednesday, shortly after inspecting the package A and B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
He described the stadium, which was built in 2003, as a national monument that must be constantly maintained and improved upon in line with international best practices.
“It’s interesting that amidst the so much I have seen, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is a national monument for this country.
“I believe that since it was built in 2003, it has remained a very definitive national monument. There is about nothing you will find elsewhere (abroad) that you cannot find here.
“But from 2003 till date, the facility has gone through a lot and has suffered a lot,” he said
Enoh specifically decried the state of the athletes’ hostel, within the package B of the stadium, stressing the need for a facelift.
“I had to go to the athletes’ hostel and part of the briefing I had was that the initial conception of this place is that the Games Village was supposed to be part of this facility.
“So it’s a bit unacceptable that after several years, we find the facility in this sorry state.
“The ministry under my leadership will do all it can to ensure that the hostel becomes functional again,” he said.
The minister said he was going to adopt a systematic approach to the rehabilitation of all major stadia in the country, adding that the next point of call will be the national stadium in Lagos.
He said aside the improvement in facility, the welfare of athletes will also be given serious attention so as to enhance Nigeria’s chances of podium finish at international events.
‘The kind of treatment we put in place for the comfort of our athletes remains very critical in terms of our goals and objectives and winning laurels that this country so desires,” he said. READ ALSO:
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Enoh said as part of efforts to ensure proactive and seamless coordination, he will be operating from his office at the stadium and not moving to the Federal secretariat.
He, therefore, directed the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, to relocate all other departments to the stadium office, for efficient service delivery.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was accompanied on the tour by the permanent secretary and relevant directors in the ministry. (NAN)
