The immediate past Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Tandoh has reiterated the needs for states in Nigeria to establish sports commission as a way of driving an inclusive and proactive approach to developing sports across the board in the country.
Tandoh stated this as a Guest Speaker at the recently held Imo State Sports Summit organised by the Government of Imo State in Owerri. He spoke on the topic titled “Rebuilding Imo State Through Sports and The Role of the State Sports Commission.”
Tandor, who was also a member of Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, told his audience who included the Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, the Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare and other dignitaries that “establishment of the Sports Commission in Imo State was a right step in the right direction. Kudos to His Excellency the Governor for fast-tracking its establishment and making the right choice for the headship of the Sports Commission. The foundation must be solidified to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability. There must be confidence in the experience and determination of the leadership of the Sports Commission to leave a lasting legacy.”
To Tandoh, Sports Commission thrives where there is the political will to ensure its success, adding that there must be appropriate legal backing for its establishment. He said that establishment of Sports Commission at the state level will pave way for setting up of zonal offices of the Commission to ensure effectiveness and development of local government sports committees.
“There will be an effective partnership with the corporate sector, good planning for hosting state, national and international sporting events. Athletes are given a sense of belonging in the administration of sports as there will be an institution of appropriate reward system for the athletes. Sports Commission encourages the establishment of a viable sports industry in the state.
“When Sports Commission is in place, professionalism will be instilled and bureaucracy is reduced or entirely removed. There will be career development opportunities for staff, even as there will be increased confidence in the corporate sector.
Highlighting the roles of Sports Commission, Tandoh noted that henceforth there will be effective grassroots sports development, schools sports and out of schools sports synergy with the Ministry of Education, provision of accessible sports facilities, rejuvenation of the state sports associations with functional human capacity development for administrators, coaches and the athletes.
