Philip Nyam 
…Says Only 20 Sports Federations Out of 40 Active
The House of Representatives Committee has called for early preparation for the 2028 Olympics to avoid the abysmal performance of the nation at the 2024 Olympics in France.
The Chairman of the committee, Abiru Amadu stated this at the meeting of the committee held in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, “There is need for timely and adequate preparation for the forthcoming Olympics scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in 2028 in order not to avoid the dismal performance of the Paris Olympic.
“It is on record that during the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nigeria couldn’t win a single medal and this sparked a wide-spread displeasure from two well-meaning citizens.
“This and many other embedded issues surrounding and affecting sports in Nigeria, will be addressed passionately and will all sincerity of purpose.
‘The committee envisaged sustainable development plan, detailing grassroots programs, training facilities, comprehensive medical support system, strategic players’ rotation, designed to promote Football Development and other sporting activities across the Nation, through the federal ministry of Sports Development”.
He lamented that “Out of the over forty [40] federation in Nigeria, only less than twenty [20] are functioning and out of the twenty 20], only about five [5] are funded”.
The chairman promised that the committee would engage the appropriate authorities and will thoroughly and painstakingly look into all the challenges contending with all the sports federations with a view of overcoming them, to the betterment of our vibrant and articulated youth and Nigerians at large.
“The issue of decaying sporting infrastructure across the Country, especially the National Stadia should be urgently looked into and addressed through adequate budgetary allocation.
“The committee expects Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] to be proactive, sort out the problems bedeviling football administration across board.
“It is the hope of the committee that, the Super Eagle will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations slated for morocco in 2025.
“It is also the opinion of the committee that, the National Institute of Sports [NIS] should brace up and provide the prerequisite manpower, training needed to make the nation excel in sports”, he added.
