- Dare bags FG’s excellence award
By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has called on the newly inaugurated Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the National Professional Football League (NPFL) to resuscitate the league and bring it to its past glory.
The Minister made the call today in his office in Abuja when he gave audience to the members of the Committee who were there on a visit.
Dare expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the Nigeria Professional Football League which he said was once the pride of the nation.
According to him, “our professional league which used to be our pride in this country, is sick today and has become a caricature of its old self which needs urgent attention,” stressing further that once a sport lacks competition, that sport is dead.
The Minster explained that football can also become a profitable business in the country, if only the league can be resuscitated.
He added that private investors are always ready to plunge in their resources into football if the governance structure and environment is right and therefore called on the IMC to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the rebirth of the league.
Dare informed that President Muhammadu Buhari has put in place the Football Masterplan, which the State Governments are willing to key into and further urged the Committee members to work with the plan and other stakeholders, in order to bring the football league back on its feet.
He assured that government was ready to render necessary support to the IMC towards revitalising the league so as to enable it stand out at international competitions.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, assured that members will bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring the resuscitation of the League.
He stated that the Committee will also partner with relevant stakeholders with a view to achieving their mandate.
…Award for Excellence in Public Service:
Meanwhile, the Minister on Friday received the award that was in recognition of his excellent contributions and commitment to the growth and development of sports in the country especially in the area of infrastructure development was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Minister dedicated the award to his team, praising them for their commitment to his vision.
“This is not a personal award for me. It is for my team, the Permanent Secretary, Directors, my aides and all those working with me in the Ministry.
“Without their hard work and commitment to this cause, this award would not happen. So, this is for them all.
“It is a call for us to do more. So, we will not slow down, the remaining months I have left in office is for more hard work.” He said.
Apart from ensuring the best podium finishes for Team Nigeria in recent international competitions, Sports Minister Sunday Dare has initiated programmes that have led to the rehabilitation of some of the nation’s sports edifices which had been neglected before his assumption of office in 2019.