Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on Tuesday inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 22nd National Sports Festival slated to take place in Ogun State next year.
The Minister charged members to work hard to deliver a seamless and successful game, noting that they require hard work.
Prior to this time, funding for the games was shared between the Ministry of Sports and the state hosting the games but the Minister noted that the new National Sports Industry Policy has changed sports from recreation to business.
After 22 years, the National Sports Festival has become a brand capable of attracting corporate sponsorship and the Minister has encouraged the committee to package the Games to attract private sector sponsorship.
Enoh described sports as a multi-billion business adding that if the private sector-driven sports industry could work in other climes, there is no reason it should not work in Nigeria.
Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Chairman of the Organizing Committee informed the Minister that members of the committee were fully aware that the responsibility of organizing successful games rested on them, assuring that the committee would mobilise both human and material resources to ensure that the Games are hosted without hitches.
The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the National Sports Festival comprises Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development as Chairman and Bukola Olapade, (Chairman LOC) as Vice Chairman. Other members of the committee are Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Olufehinti Olusegun, Mohammed Manga, Gregory Zi, Ms Fadeke Fadeyibi, and Engr. Abolore Alanamu, Patrick Okeke, Amaka Ashiofu, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, Engr. Habu Gumel, Sunday Odebode, Emmanuel Utobo, Bamiduro Olumide and Brendan Ndifon.
