The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT chapter has urged the newly appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello to launch investigation into the N60 million released for U-13 foreign trip but allegedly embezzled.
FCT SWAN in a statement by Secretary, Martins Odiete, recalled that the Territory’s U-13 team won the National U-13 football competition and were billed to go on a tour of Europe as approved by the immediate past FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed.
However, SWAN lamented that the team did not go on that trip even after the fund approved for that purpose was released.
On the state of sports in the Territory, SWAN noted that if nothing is done to redress the situation, FCT may lose good athletes to other states of the Federation and thereby placing it as one of the backward sports state in the Federation.
To redress the situation, SWAN identified the following areas that the minister must give attention to if he really has plans to make impact in sports:
That, the Area 10 Football facility should be renovated, and the Area 3 football pitch should be provided with comfortable stand for spectators to sit during matches;
That the minister put a stop to every attempt by some forces to sell off these facilities to private persons;
That all facilities reserved for sports in the territory and which have been converted to other uses be restored to its original purpose;
That all abandoned sporting facilities in the area councils which have been completely paid for be completed and handed over to the councils;
That government looks towards having football team both for the male and women as other states in the federation has.
FCT SWAN noted that this will go a long way to productively engage the large number of young footballers roaming the streets of Abuja busy.
The Kayode Adeniyi-led FCT SWAN congratulated the minister on his appointment and promised to work with him in the onerous task of developing sports in the Territory.
