Tag: Enoh

Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed his commitment to meticulously review a proposal aimed at regulating the scouting system within Nigeria’s sports landscape.
The proposal was submitted by a delegation led by the National President of Prestige Football Academy, Uchendu Stephen Nwabara, during a meeting with the Minister in Abuja, yesterday.
Acknowledging the critical role of scouting in nurturing and harnessing the nation’s sports potential, Enoh stated that Nigeria’s huge talent pool makes it a destination of choice for scouts from all around the world.
The Minister said the Ministry is concerned about some of the general practices in the sports ecosystem, as it is working to ensure ethical standards are imbibed, and also provide equitable opportunities for aspiring young talents to excel in sport.
“Most people in the sector are concerned about the subject of the scouting process of our young men and women,” the Minister said. “When our sports men and women go out of the shores of Nigeria, and break-forth, the support they send to their families and the laurels that they win are of benefit to the country.
“However, the manner in which some of our sports men and women leave needs to be addressed. Sports in general being a universal matter, promoted globally, and a country as big as Nigeria with its population and talent, has become like a laboratory for various actors to come in and out.”

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He stated that his administration is deeply committed to fostering a conducive environment for the growth and development of sports in Nigeria. Scouting forms the bedrock of identifying and nurturing future sports stars and there is a need to recognize the value of an organized scouting system that fosters fairness, transparency, and professionalism.
There is an urgent need to stop the exploitation of Nigerians, who are taken out of the country by scouts, agents and tied to slave contracts abroad. Nigeria will work to facilitate a process that integrates fair play, integrity, professionalism and equal opportunities for all sports talents, especially footballers.
Leader of the delegation, Uchendu Stephen Nwabara expressed optimism about the Minister’s enthusiastic reception of their proposal.
“We are delighted by the Minister’s commitment to thoroughly examine our recommendations. These reforms are pivotal in transforming the scouting landscape and ensuring that deserving talents receive the attention and opportunities they merit.”
Senator Enoh said the Ministry will review the appropriateness of the proposal, as it remains resolute in its dedication to uplifting the ethics of scouting.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh,  has taken a significant step towards ensuring the country’s exceptional outing  at the Paris 2024 Olympic games  as he inaugurated the Ministerial Strategic Committee  yesterday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

In an assertive move towards meticulous planning and strategic execution, the Committee will spearhead Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming Games.

The inauguration of this Committee underscores the Minister’s unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in sports and providing the necessary support to Nigeria’s athletes.

Led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Committee comprises distinguished members renowned for their expertise and passion for sports development.

The Minister stated that the strategic committee is entrusted with the crucial task of orchestrating crucial plans towards a successful Olympic Games appearance.

“In order to ensure adequate preparations and effective participation of Team Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Federal Ministry of Sports Development has therefore constituted the Ministerial Strategic Committee to recommend strategies and modalities towards a successful outing of Nigeria at both Games, the Minister stated.

“This Committee is made up of eminently qualified Nigerians who have served this country in various capacities. They were carefully selected based on their track record and relevant experiences.

The Minister reeled out the terms of reference of the committee charging them to discharge their responsibility for the collective good of the country, including determining shared objectives/targets and reviewing performances of National Sports Federations viz-a-viz the medals projections for each sport.

With Nigeria’s best Olympics  appearance dating back to the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, the Minister charged the Committee to surpass Team Nigeria’s medal haul of 1996, where Nigeria won gold medals in football and long jump, amongst other medals.

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“As you go on to perform this critical national assignment, I want to urge the members of the committee to exert positive energy, intellect and experience to ensure that Nigeria surpasses its previous  performance at the Games,” Senator Enoh said.

The committee comprises: Alh. Ismaila Abubakar as chairman, and Amaka Ashiofu as member/secretary.

Other members include: Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Mr. Patrick Okeke, Mrs. Thecia Opara, Engr. Abolore Alanamu, Mr. Olufehinti Olusegun, Mr. Tunde Popoola, Mr. Suleiman Issa, Mr. Olumide bamiduro, Mr. Brendan Ndifon, Prince Ebuta Ayuk, Barr. Danladi Ibrahim, and Mr. Abubakar Waziri.

Speaking after the Committee’s  inauguration, chairman, Alh. Abubakar stated that the team will do its best to make Nigeria proud, as it will work meticulously to ensure smooth preparations and execution of all plans. He said they will leave no stone unturned to deliver on all terms of reference assigned to them.

With qualifying series for Paris 2024 still on across various sports, eight Nigerian athletes have already qualified for the Games thus far – 3 track and field athletes, 3 boxers, one wrestler, and one cyclist. In the coming weeks, this number will increase significantly, as more qualifying tournaments are concluded.

For the Paralympic Games, the country has picked two tickets in para-athletics, nine  in para-table tennis, while  eight athletes are currently on the pathway to qualification in para-powerlifting.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh  has inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 22nd  National Sports Festival slated to take place in Ogun State next year. Inaugurating the Committee  yesterday at the media centre inside the MKO Abiola Stadium, National Stadium Complex Abuja, the Minister charged members of the committee to work hard to deliver a seamless and successful games next year.

Enoh noted that delivering a successful games requires hard work, however he noted that with the commitment of Ogun State Government and the calibre of members in the committee, he is optimistic that the Committee would surmount all the challenges to deliver a successful games.

He observed that the normal practice was for the funding of the games to be shared between the Ministry of Sports and the state hosting the games. He stated that with the National Sports Industry Policy kicking in, sports should be seen as not only recreation but business.

He observed that after 22 years, the National Sports Festival has become a brand capable of attracting corporate sponsorship. The Minister therefore encouraged the committee to package the Games to attract private sector sponsorship. He described sports as a multi-billion business. He stated that if private sector-driven sports industry could work in other climes, there is no reason it should not work in Nigeria.

Senator Enoh appealed to the private sector and corporate organizations to support sports development in the country.

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Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Chairman of the Organizing Committee informed the Minister that members of the committee were fully aware that the responsibility of organizing successful games rest on them.

He assured him that the committee would mobilise both human and material resources to ensure that the Games is hosted without hitches.

Earlier, Wasiu Isiaka, the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports assured the Minister that the State was fully prepared to deliver a successful games.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the National Sports Festival comprises Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development as Chairman and Bukola Olapade, (Chairman LOC) as Vice Chairman. Other members of the committee are Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Olufehinti Olusegun, Mohammed Manga, Gregory Zi, Ms Fadeke Fadeyibi, Engr. Abolore Alanamu, Patrick Okeke, Mrs. Amaka Ashiofu, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, Engr. Habu Gumel, Sunday Odebode, Emmanuel Utobo, Bamiduro Olumide and Brendan Ndifon.

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh has started that sports development in Nigeria is now open to corporate and private investor participation.

Senator Owan Enoh disclosed this today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja when the Board Members of Sports Performance Reward Fund (SPRF) led by its President Engr. Musa Kida visited him.

He informed that the Ministry under his watch will remain open to collaboration with the corporate and private organisations in its resolve to ensure the development of sports in the country especially in such areas as grassroots sports development, scholarships for our athletes and infrastructure upgrades amongst others.

“This is important, especially in this era of dwindling scarce resources. The Ministry is ready to collaborate and partner with the private and corporate organizations to provide them with the opportunity to compliment Government efforts towards the engagement and empowerment of our teeming youth so as to create jobs for them, alleviate poverty amongst them and position them for success in their fields of endeavour. This will also make our society better and safer for further investments by both the public, private and corporate organizations” he said.

The Minister stated that the present administration under the Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is conscious of this reality which is why in its wisdom, created the Ministry of Sports Development, and assigned him to saddle its affairs.

Senator Owan Enoh stated further that “government in its renewed Hope Agenda has also endorsed the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration. A Policy Document that spelt out the benefits of the public private partnership as well as private sector involvement in the development of sports in Nigeria. The Document promotes such initiatives that help nurture the relationship that is private sector driven.”

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He expressed optimism that with the calibre of the people that constitute membership of the Board of Sports Performance Reward Fund (BSPTF) which includes amongst others, the former Minister of State for Petroleum and later Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, Professor Wale Sulaiman a world renowned Neurosurgeon as well as other distinguished personalities, if the potential of the initiative to Reward Nigerian podium finish athletes at international competitions is galvanised and rev-up, the development of youth sports within the country from the grassroots all the way to the Olympic heights will soon be achieved.

He therefore called on the Board Members of SPRF and indeed the private sector organizations to come out en mass, join hands with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration to ensure the development of sports in Nigeria in line with global best practices.

Earlier in his remarks, the President Sports Performance Reward Fund Engr. Musa Kida thanked the Honourable Minister for the support and encouragement he has given the SPRF since his assumption of office and receiving them in spite of his busy schedule.

He explained that, the reason why men and women of proven integrity who have been outstandingly successful in their various fields of endeavour have come together to birth and drive the Sports Performance Reward Fund was to establish a guaranteed and sure reward for generations of Nigeria’s sporting youth, make sports an oasis of excellence in Nigeria by complementing government efforts, and also to drive, motivate Nigerian Youth with sporting talent to put in the hard work and sacrifice required to be the best in the world.

Kida expressed confidence that with the support of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration, “we can collectively make Nigeria a sustainable Global Superpower in all sports in not-too-distant future”.

°Salutes champions MFM

 The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has commended the Engr. Musa Kida-led Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) for its organization of the Women’s Basketball League Final Four held in Lagos between October 17th  and 19th.

The Minister was present at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, where he witnessed a thrilling match between MFM Basketball and Nigerian Customs. MFM Basketball clinched the victory with a 64-60 score, to claim the league title.

 Enoh showered encomiums on the Lagos-based team for their tenacity, determination, and resilience displayed on their path to securing the championship. He expressed his enthusiasm about the quality of the games and the wealth of talent available for potential national team selections.

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“In this Final Four, the level of competition we’ve seen unequivocally demonstrates the significant progress women’s basketball has made,”  Enoh stated. “The depth of talent we have is extraordinary, providing a strong pool for national team selections. The recent dominance of D’Tigress in Africa doesn’t come as a surprise; it’s a testament to our wealth of talent, both locally and abroad. When this kind of talent is available both home and abroad, the best of the best from Nigeria can beat any team.

“We are blessed with an abundance of talent, and I’m confident that scouts and coaches have been closely monitoring these proceedings. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to MFM Basketball for their inaugural league title. Their journey to victory was filled with determination and hard work. It’s also heartening to see privately-owned clubs excelling in our sports.”

He also commended Zenith Bank, the league’s sponsors, for their unwavering support to Nigerian basketball and called upon other organizations to take a cue and invest in sports.

“I applaud Zenith Bank for their unwavering commitment to the development of basketball in our nation. The Ministry remains resolute in its efforts to foster a conducive environment for sports to flourish, hand in hand with private investments.”

He encouraged the other teams that took part in the League to hold their head high and come back even stronger next season.

Dignitaries at the game included Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Dr. Temitope Fashuronti, CEO, Startimes, Mr. Joshua Wang, Director General, National Sports Commission, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, alongside the basketball federation president, Engr. Musa Kida.

Air Warriors secured the first runner-up position, while Nigeria Customs earned the second runner-up position.

MFM’s Regina Donanu won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, as well as the highest three point conversion prize, while Iwuji Vivian won the highest rebound award.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has charged Heads of Department of the Ministry to come up with strategic plans that will define the growth path of talents discovered at the recently concluded National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.

Enoh who chaired an interactive meeting with senior officials of the ministry alongside Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry stated that such strategic plan should be able to keep talented athletes under the radar of the Ministry and also define a clear path for them to climb to the top of the various sports where they have excelled.

He said that it was important to sustain the interest of these talented athletes in their various sports, since they could easily lose interest if no plan is put in place to harness their talents.

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Beyond the just concluded National Youth Games, Senator Enoh stated that what the Ministry does with these discovered talents was more important than the emphasis on medals table and states that achieved the highest medals haul.

The Minister sued for greater synergy amongst the different departments to achieve this objective. He stressed that it was important to show Nigerians the growth trajectory of these talented athletes before the next National Youth Games.

“If we are able to show what we have been able to do with these discovered talents before the next National Youth Games, it will inspire confidence and buy-in by Nigerians and relevant stakeholders,” the Minister said. “It should not be business as usual.”

He stressed that under his leadership, failure to take decisive action on this issue is not an option.

He warned that if the Ministry failed to come up with implementable plans on the way forward, sports loving Nigerians will soon put them to the sword.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ismaila Abubaker said that the essence of the meeting was for the Ministry to evaluate their performance at the Games and come up with suggestions and ways the Ministry can improve in subsequent games.

The inputs from the meeting will form part of a strategic plan setting out a path to the top for the discovered talented athletes being hammered out by a team assembled by the Minister.

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh was  yesterday among golfers who teed off at the grand finale of the Independence Golf Tournament organized by the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja .

With over 500 registered golfers, comprising Nigerians alongside their Ghanaian, Cameroonian and Ugandan counterparts, the competition is a tournament of global repute.

The Minister was received by the Captain of the IBB international Golf Country Club, Banjo Obaleye ,in the company of other  members of the club. Among them were Senator Mohamed Sanusi Dagash, AVM Monday Riku Morgan, Senator Emmanuel Anosike and Barrister Eyo Ekpo .

In his remarks ,the Minister of Sports described golf as a lovely game and applauded the passion, commitment and  consistency of the Club in hosting the tournament during our country’s independence anniversary.

Senator Enoh pointed out that sports breeds social inclusiveness, enables diplomacy amongst countries, fosters friendship and business networks .

The Honourable Minister on a tour of the golf facility was shown many trophies won over the years by the club. He interacted with members and guest players at the club. One of the highlights of the minister’s visit was his participation in a brief coaching session after which there was a ceremonial tee-off by Suleiman, the number one player of the club and Lady Gloria of Uganda and the Honourable Minister.

Atlantic Conference: Teams hit  Asaba for  Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball

After the euphoria that greeted the just concluded National Youth Games at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba in Delta State, the venue is set  for  the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League.

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The Phase Two of the Atlantic Conference of the 2023 edition of the league which was postponed due to the NYG is now on the cards as teams are expected to arrive Asaba  today ahead of tomorrow’s dunk-off.

First Bank Women’s Basketball Club is the team to beat after winning all of their games in the Phase One, they must however be at their best as two other teams, MFM and Bayelsa Whales, are fighting hard to get one of the two tickets for the finals in Lagos later this month.

First Bank Basketball team defeated all the other teams in the Atlantic Zone Phase One that took place in Akure.

On the other hand, IGP Queens and Dolphins are the teams walking tight rope after losing three matches out of five respectively.

Apart from First Bank, MFM and Bayelsa Whales, others in the Atlantic Conference are Sunshine Angels, IGP Queens, Delta Force, Dolphins and First Deep Waters.

Speaking ahead of the Second Phase, MFM Basketball Women’s club’s Favour Eric, said they must be at their best to get to the final as they did at the last edition where they lost to Air Warriors Basketball Club in the final.

“We lost to First Bank in the First Phase and if we must progress, we must do better this time around and I am sure our coaches and management have done a lot to prepare us for the battle ahead in Asaba,” she said.

Two teams already qualified from the Savannah Conference, Nigerian Customs Women’s Basketball Club, who are yet to lose a game and defending champion, Air Warriors with the two top teams from the Atlantic Conference joining them for the finals in Lagos later in October.