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The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has urged Federations on podium finish in the upcoming African Games, Olympics and Paralympics.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Enoh to have said it was time for Nigeria to beat the record set at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic game.
Recall Nigeria conquered the world by beating Argentina to win the Olympic Gold in football at Sanford Stadium, Atlanta in 1996.
Speaking during a meeting with sports federation presidents at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Thursday in Abuja, the Sports Minister stressed it was necessary for the Federations to push for podium finishes in all the competitions.
Enoh said the meeting was aimed at fostering collaboration, synchronising plans, and strategising collective actions among the various sports federations.
“We will be participating in the African Games, Olympics and Paralympics.
“Some Federations have qualified and some will still have to qualify and go to the Olympics to beat that record of Atlanta.
“Federations must work hard to finish on the podium in all their events,” Enoh said.
TNG reports Nigeria will participate in 12 sports in the Olympics and 23 sports in the Africa Games.
Nigeria will be participating in 23 sports and three demonstration sports in Ghana from March 8 to March 24.
Minister pledges to tackle funding challenge in sports
Meanwhile, the Sports Minister pledged to tackle funding challenges in sports in the country.
Enoh made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a technical meeting with federations ahead of the 13th African Games in Ghana from March 8 to March 24.
The Minister said funding has always been a challenge in the development of sports in the country, and that relying wholly on government for funds was no longer tenable.
“The challenge of funds in sports has been in existence for so long and every day we keep talking about it.
“I am determined to solve that challenge even if we have to go ahead and amend existing laws to see what provisions these laws can make to fund our sports.
“Depending solely on the yearly appropriation from the government can never be a solution, meaning there must be a way out of it.
“Also coming from a background where I chaired and worked in a finance committee at the Senate and House of Representatives, I have a determination and commitment to see how we can end and tackle this challenge.
“If by the end of this year, I am still going to go back, depending on the government for 100 per cent funding for the Ministry, then it means that there is more that is required to be done,” he said.