Sports had never had it this good!- Reps members applaud Tinubu over budget

House of Representatives Committee on Sports has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the creation of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the unprecedented budget allocation for sports in the 2025 budget proposals which is deliberately targeted at key infrastructure projects to assist jumpstart and drive the sports economy in Nigeria.

Speaking while fielding the Commission’s budget defense, the Committee Chairman Honourable Kabiru Amadu pointed out that sports had never had it this good.

His words, “The allocation to sports is unprecedented. Sports had never gotten this type of attention in the budget. We must congratulate and applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision, support and clear interest to get the sport sector going and be a major driver of Nigerian economy as we see happening across the globe.

“I must also commend you Mr. Chairman of the NSC for the efforts, commitment and professionalism you put in to get this increment to sports and the work you have been doing so far in delivering your mandate.

“This is the first time we are having such in Nigeria. There are many firsts in this budget. For instance, this is the first time we are having funds allocated for the Sports Federations whom are the engine room of the sports developers and likewise preparations for Olympics, Commonwealth Games, grassroots and talent identification, schools sports as well as key infrastructure projects to provide the foundation to advance sports to the level we all desired.”

Very noteworthy is the proposed Anti-doping Laboratory to be constructed in Nigeria. A project that according to the National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, will, in addition to its statutory activities, be a huge revenue generator.

A member pointed out, “During one of my trips to South Africa, I ran into a South African who asked when we will build our own Anti-doping lab. He pointed out that Nigerian samples are among the largest received in the South African lab. I was so embarrassed. Thank you Mr. Chairman for saving us this embarrassment.”

In his introductory remark, the NSC helmsman listed some of the highpoints of the budget thus; Funds for the renovation of the MKO Abiola Stadium which, according to him, except the pitch resurfacing funded by Dangote in 2021, had never undergone any repairs since completion in 2003 and still required further improvements as most of the facilities are obsolete; completion of the three-star 200 room athletes hotel which should also open further streams of income in tandem with the sports economy; the high performance center; a first-of-its-kind budget line for Olympics and Commonwealth Games preparations; grassroots sports development, as well as the Anti-doping Laboratory.

He noted that the guiding document for the budget is the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) which will be driven by the three Rs namely RESET, REFOCUS and RELAUNCH.

The House of representatives committee unanimously expressed their satisfaction with the budget defence presentation by the NSC chairman and assured the NSC of all the necessary support and alignment as well as the relevant oversight to ensure success of the budget implementation.

NSC also defended its budget proposals at the Senate Sports Commitee led by Senator Kawu Sumaila with the same echo of support and commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and and the Dikko-led National Sports Commission.