Niger Delta Games: Sports is capable of growing the country’s economy – Shaibu
With the second edition of the annual Niger Delta Games, kicking off Friday, the Director General of National Institute For Sports Comrade Philip Shaibu has stated that sports if properly managed could be the game changer of Nigerian economy.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the opening ceremony of the Games, he explained that it’s wrong for people to think that it’s only through the manufacturing sector that the economy can grow and reduce the disparity between the local currency and the US Dollar; saying that the economic value of sports is huge and should be tapped.
” Competitions like the Niger Delta Games is the new oil we need to grow the economy because the value to be derived from it is very huge l.
“With sports, I can beat my chest and tell you that we can bridge the gap between the local currency and the dollar because these young men and women wil later l become national and international athletes and represent the country at international events and any money they make will be remitted home thereby boosting the economy of the country.
According to the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, sports alone globally generates over $60 billion annually and it’s good Nigeria taps into it, positing that the President being mindful of what sports can achieve in terms of economic growth, youth empowerment, job creation and checking security challenges brought some of them into the system.
Shaibu while commending NDDC and Dunamis Icon for organizing the Games, further stated that it was in recognition of the fact that sports is a big business that led to the establishment of six zonal offices for the National Institute For Sports (NIS ).
” Kudos must go to NDDC and Dunamis Icon for this wonderful initiative. We have a lot of young talents that are being wasted but with this Game, we’ ll discover younger generations that will represent our country at future international tournaments.
” I must also thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has done a lot through his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and shown the whole world that sports, is a big money making venture and right now at NIS, we have six zonal offices as a vehicle for driving sports development”, he concluded
