HAVE WE ENTERED INTO A NEW DAWN IN NIGERIA’S SPORTS?

Godwin Bamigboye.

One of the Holy Books (the Bible) states clearly in Habakkuk 2:3 that, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end of it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry”.

I have been monitoring events in the Sports Industry, particularly in Football and I am tempted to say that it looks like I am dreaming. Dreaming? Yes, I mean dreaming! However, it may turn out to be that I am not dreaming. I think it is a reality. It is in the public domain. A number of landmark decisions have been taken. What is now left is the will to translate these decisions into visible and tangible achievements.

I believe you can attest to the birth of a document titled Nigeria’s 10 year Football Development Masterplan? You may also be aware of the approval of the Nigeria Sports Industry Policy by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FGN). Have you heard about the inauguration of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigerian Premier League? Have you heard of the IMC discussion with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) to broadcast the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)? I have read some public response that the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) should be involved for a broader broadcast representation. Let me narrow my thoughts to Football. I could see an Election of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which has come and gone without the usual attendant brouhaha. That is not to say that there are no issues to attend to. There are issues and they need to be attended to expeditiously.
Within 30 days of the assumption of office of the current Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Flamingos won the Bronze Medal in the recently concluded FIFA Under 17 Women World Cup in India.

Moreso, Falconets have won silver twice and Ghana was the first to win Africa’s bronze medal in the U-17 world championship”.

May I not be seen to be a praise singer even though I am only telling stories of events that we all know about.
Let me also add that the ENABLING ENVIRONMENT we have been yearning for is here with us especially the NIGERIA SPORTS INDUSTRY POLICY. This policy will encourage more private sector participation in Sports.

The path to sports development in Nigeria has been laid. The challenge now is the IMPLEMENTATION. The vision may have tarried but it has come. The VISION has been made clear. Let the MISSION commence in earnest.

With the introduction of these policies, I will now ask, HAVE WE ENTERED INTO A NEW DAWN IN NIGERIA’S SPORTS?

The answer is for all of us to answer.