Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has promised to make available a plot of land to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for the building of its Corporate Headquarters.
The minister, who was responding to a request to that effect by the National President of the Association, Honour Sirawoo, when he led the National executive officers of the Association to pay him a courtesy visit in his office, said that his government would give full backing to sports development in the FCT to provide an outlet for the teeming youths of the Territory to channel their energy in a positive manner.
He therefore challenged the Association to help mobilize the teeming youth, resident in the Federal Capital Territory by engaging them in sports.
The Minister asked the Association as well as other stakeholders to come up with at least two different sports where the FCT has competitive advantage and sufficient talents, for further sponsorship by the FCT Administration.
“I would like to task the FCT Chapter of SWAN to identify one or two sports that you know the FCT has competitive advantage and let’s sit down and support that particular sport seriously so that we can make the FCT national champion and even African champion in those particular sports.”
“As you know of course, all sports are being done here; but you as writers will be able to say historically, the FCT has been known to have talent in these particular sports so that we deploy full resources and provide the best training facilities, so that we continue to excel as a Territory that is known for these particular sports. Then others can copy and we can even provide good facilities that other States can even come here to use.”
Muhammad Bello, who described sports as a unifying factor in the country, said the FCT Administration will continue to leverage on it to ensure that this unity is sustained and improved upon in the capital city.
“FCT has a long history of sports activities. As a matter of fact, we currently have in Ilorin, a contingent of about 80 Athletes who, by the grace of God, we are confident are going to make us proud. I can assure you that I will continue to support you and sports administration, which really we have been doing.
“ Apart from funding the large delegation, we have also been supporting the hockey federation and other federations that have headquarters here. Even during the last tennis tournament, I personally went there and attended one of the sessions. I will continue to provide support to sports within available resources.”
Speaking earlier, the National President of the Association of Nigeria, Sirawoo praised the Minister for sending over 80 Athletes to Ilorin for the on-going National Youth Games.
The National President reiterated that sports development has critical role to play not only in national development but also in wealth creation and therefore urged the FCT Administration to take advantage of that robust platform. [myad]
