- Sports Can Create Millions Of Employment For Our Youths
- Sports Can Boost Our GDP As Well
- Our Athletes Go To Other Countries Due To Poor Infrastructure
Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare admitted yesterday that investors are heavily needed in our Sports development and that the Federal Government have no money to spend on sports, due to the competing demands in the economy.
The Minister said this during an inspection visit to the National Stadium in Surulere on the ongoing renovation of the main bowl, stating that due to the competing demands facing the economy, Funds isn’t made available by the Federal Government to invest in Sports, therefore, there is need for investors to come in.
“Government does not have the money to invest in Sports. That money is not there. There are so many competing demands, but then we want to leverage private funding and public funding, as well as all our stadiums up and running and well furnished.
While still speaking, Sunday Dare also said that the reason while most of our Athletes run to other countries is because of the lack of proper infrastructure put in place by the Government, stating that other countries are doing better than us in terms of better and adequate infrastructures, prompting our athletes to move on for greener pastures.
“We want the Government and private sectors to invest in Infrastructures and Digital Equipments. There are digital equipment. Why do athletes go to other countries and excel, because they go there and get the latest equipment that helps them to run, help them to train, so the infrastructure is very key in our Sports”
“Sports can create millions and millions of jobs for our youths and that for me is critical. I talk about the merchandise. If you go to Wembley, you will see the case of merchandise and how their youths are making money from every match day, which has provided most of them with opportunities for making money. We could take a cue from them and do the same: He added
While still speaking, he admitted that Sports could also help boost our economy’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), when being properly developed.
“When you develop Sports, it can add 2 to 3 percent of our national GDP, boosting our economy, he said.
The Minister also added that with an investment in Sports by the Federal Government, it could be an added source of revenue for them, as TAX would be always be paid to them.
Sunday Dare is the Minister of Youth and Sports Development in Nigeria.
