On Tuesday, August 27th, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, pledged his full support for the upcoming Federation of African University Games (FASU) scheduled to take place in Nigeria.
During a courtesy visit from the organizing committee in his Abuja office, the Minister assured that the ministry would exert every effort to ensure the successful hosting of the games in the country.
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Expressing concern over the current state of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Senator Enoh urged the committee to critically examine the factors that once made NUGA a resounding success. He encouraged the organizers to draw inspiration from NUGA’s past glory in planning for FASU.
“The success of the FASU Games is a national priority, and the Ministry is committed to providing the necessary support to make this event a triumph. We must learn from our past successes and apply those lessons to ensure that these games set a new standard,” the Minister stated.
Senator Enoh also emphasized the importance of collaboration in sports development, noting that the availability and use of high-performance centers are key differentiators between successful and less successful nations in sports.
“Sports must be a cooperative and collaborative effort at all levels—local, sub-national, and national. The Ministry stands ready to provide the Nigerian team with access to our facilities, ensuring they are well-prepared and competitive,” he added.
The Minister Of Sports Development further expressed his administration’s determination to revitalize school sports, acknowledging its immense benefits to the country.
He announced plans to lead a delegation to the Ministry of Education following the ongoing Paralympic Games, with the aim of forging a partnership to enhance school sports.
Earlier, Dr. Mohammed Bawa, President and Chairman of the FISU Games organizing committee, commended Senator Enoh’s grassroots-driven vision for sports administration. He requested the Minister to equip the Nigerian team with the necessary training tools and to advocate for a waiver of the $200 visa fee for students, to encourage wider participation across African countries.
“Such a waiver would significantly boost student participation from various African nations, ensuring a more inclusive and competitive event,” Dr. Bawa emphasized.
