Chairman House Committee On Sports Ekene Seeks Sporting Media Support, Unity Of All Stakeholders

Chairman House Committee on Sports Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams says a healthy synergy with the media, can propel the growth of the sporting industry in Nigeria as they seek more corporate Nigeria funding of the sector.

Adams, a member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State was named chairman of the sports committee in the 10th House of Representatives two week ago.

In his second interactive session with the sporting media in Ikenne that had top Sports Editors and Sports Bloggers in attendance, after he did same in Abuja, the former General Manager of Remo Stars, solicited support of the fourth estate of the realm and unity of all stakeholders to bringing back the lost glory in sports in Nigeria.

"I know the important role the media plays and for Nigeria sports to achieve its desired goal, the House Committee on Sports seeks a good synergy with the sporting media.

"The stakeholders in the sports sector all need to embrace peace, as an enabling environment can make sports thrive as we seek to empower our youths.

"As Chairman of House Committee on Sports; my team and I, have embarked on a journey. We will consult widely by meeting sports technocrats and corporate Nigeria to see how we can revive and achieve success in our sports."

Honourable Ekene Adams, responding on the issues of sports policy implementation and how his committee intends to work with a yet to be named Minister for Sports and Youth Development.

"Implementation of these policies has been the issue, but am aware that the National Sports Commission bill had been passed by the 9th assembly, as what is left is for the executive to sign it into law. I want to assure the media that the 10th assembly will do all it can to making sure that the bill see the light of the day.

"On the question of the Sports Minister, am quite sure that the new Minister won't have a selfish interest in sports, as he too wants to match the standard left by Sunday Dare and possibly raise the bar. So as Chairman of House Committe on Sports, we will share with him a common idealogy, all geared towards the growth of sports and youth development."

"I want to say this before you that, it's time we put behind our selfish interests, greed and let technocrats to come and managend sports in Nigeria.

"Sport belongs to the private sector, as you don't relegate corporate Nigeria and think they will invest in our sports. If we wust see sports funding beyond government, then we must focus on corporate NIgeria.

"Corporate Nigeria won't come to our sports if we don't give them assurances as regards tax rebates and if the media reports the negatives. So it's time we begin to change the narratives."