*New document to proffer solutions to issues of infrastructure, investment, incentives, policy to attain international best practices ─Sunday Dare, Minister for Youth and Sports

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The youth and sports sub-sectors of the Nigerian economy perhaps are set to experience a big boost as Mr. Sunday Dare, Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, discloses that the new draft Sports Industry Policy, when operational, will transform sports into a huge business in the country.

The Minister stated this at the virtual presentation of the Draft 2020 National Sports Industry Policy, Tuesday, July 28, in Abuja, FCT.

It was learnt that the members of the steering committee of the Sports Industry Working Group (SIWG), the policy validation committee, and the National sport industry policy drafting committee put together the 172-page document.

Dare said: “This policy no doubt is a new dawn that will drive the process of moving sports away from being recreational to business.”

The Minister, who described the occasion as a milestone with the capacity to change the face of running sports business in Nigeria, said a new sports policy had become inevitable due to the need to update the obsolete 2009 policy and attain international best practices.

“The draft National Sports Industry Policy is a review of the 2009 edition, which is principally intended to update the norms and values in the sports industry in achieving the mandate, vision and mission of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in line with international best practices.

“It is important to note that this reviewed National Sports Industry Policy will proffer solutions to four issues of: Infrastructure, Investment, Incentives and policy that will take sports to the next level,” stated the Minister.

He commended Mr. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, FMYSD; Mr. Ufot Udeme, Co-Chairman, and other members of the committee for their valuable contributions to draft policy.

The document will soon be presented to the public for feedbacks, then submitted to the Attorney-General of Federation to finalise the legal components, said he.

Dare expressed confidence that the document will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by September or October for approval.