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The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed confidence that Nigeria has the capacity to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Enoh made this known at a press conference held at the media centre of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.
While addressing newsmen, the Minister of Sports Development said with improvement in facilities, the country can successfully host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Enoh decried the fact that no African country has hosted the Commonwealth Games since inception.
According to him, it remains a black spot in the history of the Games for an African country not to have hosted it.
“While in Ghana during the 2023 All African Games, I appealed for African countries, particularly Nigeria, to submit bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
“I saw it as a black spot in the history of the Commonwealth Games for an African country not seen capable of hosting the Games since its inception in 1930.
“And of course we have the facilities to host such big tournaments like the Commonwealth Games.
“All we need to do is to start preparations early, revive some of the facilities, build some and improve the state of others across the country.
“Though, I don’t think I am going to be in office as the Minister of Sports at that time but it’s what we can start now and achieve if there’s continuity after leaving the office,” he said.
Speaking further during the press conference, the Minister highlighted the achievements of Team Nigeria at the just concluded 13th African Games in Ghana.
Enoh commended Team Nigeria’s “gallant’ performance at the the 13th African Games in Ghana, where Nigeria emerged second behind Egypt.
Nigeria finished with 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
Enoh, however, stressed that preparations for the 14th African Games slated for Egypt in 2027 must start now, if Nigeria is to displace the likes of Egypt on the continent.
He assured that all hands will be on deck, working with the high performance centre and other stakeholders to ensure early preparations for Nigeria.