FG set to implement National Sports Industry policy

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, says the Federal Government has approved the adoption of the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) for full implementation.

Enoh stated this on Saturday in Abuja at a news conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the document provides an opportunity for corporate and private sector participation in the development of sports in the country.

Enoh said the Tinubu-led administration will leave no stone unturned in its plans to deliver positive change across all sectors, with sports being an important part of that plan.

He noted that the NSIP approved in the last administration has been pegged for implementation by the current government so as to boost sports development.

“The National Sports Industry Policy as approved by the last administration has received endorsement by the current administration, led by our president, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

The minister noted that the thrust of the policy is to advance sports as a business, not just as a mere recreation.

He explained that the inter-ministerial committee set up in the last administration, comprising the Ministries of Sports, Finance, and Federal Inland Revenue Service, was for the committee to agree on a series of incentives, which the government is expected to approve.

The incentives are to boost private sector investment and support for sports in the country.

“It is important that going forward, the investments and funding for sports should come from the private sector, as obtainable in other parts of the world,” he added.

Enoh stressed the need for the ministry to properly market sports to the private sector for national development.

“One of the plans of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development is to see how to sell sports to the private sector.

“We want to build the trust and confidence of the private sector so that competitions and the initiatives of the ministry can enjoy the support and endorsement of the private sector,” he said.

The minister emphasised the need for the country to return to the days when the private sector was a major player in sports.