NSC Reiterates FG’s Resolve to Accords All Sports Equal Opportunity
Abuja (Core Reporters) National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has reiterated the Commission’s resolve to give all sports equal opportunities to thrive. Mallam Dikko, who was represented by Chief of Staff to the NSC Chairman Mallam Salihu Abubakar, was speaking while welcoming a delegation of the Japan African Baseball and Softball Foundation (J-ABS) accompanied by President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Federation Mr. Uche Odozor.
The NSC Chairman identified the immense potential in baseball as a sport that will bring glory to the nation.
His words, “We have seen the potential in baseball and that is why we attend to the NBSF President’s requests speedily. With 250million, Nigeria has enormous talents that can be harvested in baseball. Baseball is a sport that thrives on strength and dignity and these are ingredients that are in abundance in Nigeria.”
He continued, “We have the best reservoir of talents in Africa and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be a top-rated country in this sport on the continent. Beyond participation, we are also looking at the economic side of the sport. Baseball is a potentially huge revenue earner to the country.
“And you know that we have been given a mandate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to harness all the potentials of the sports economy. Our target is to ensure that sports contribute at least 3% of the nation’s GDP. Baseball will help us in creating the sports jobs that will help us realize this mandate.”
He gave a ray of hope to all sports. “In this dispensation, there is nothing called small sports. That word doesn’t exist in our lexicon. Every sports will get equal opportunity to flourish. Mr. President buttressed this when he gave the same $100,000 to both the women’s football team and the basketball team. In our eyes all sport are equal. So rest assured that you will get all the support you need from us.”
Earlier, Mr. Odozor thanked the NSC Chairman for reintroducing baseball and softball in the National Youth Games as well as helping the Federation restore its ownership of the Baseball park at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. In his opinion, with the Chairman’s support, baseball will take its pride of place in Nigerian sports.
The J-ABS delegation led by President Shinja Tomonari were in Nigeria as part of preparations for the JICA Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project. Mr. Tomonari enthused that the Foundation was set for the project aimed at providing technical support to baseball coaches and taking the sport to the grassroots.
