The newly drafted Sports Industry Policy is the much-need framework that will transform sports in Nigeria from being recreational to business-led and unlock a ton of investments in the sector Minister of Sports Sunday Dare has declared.
Dare was speaking after he received the draft document of the National Sports Industry Policy on Tuesday in Abuja.
The minister said the newly revamped SIP will replace the obsolete 2009 version and will address four key areas “3 Is and 1 P” – Infrastructure, Investment, Incentives and Policy, that will catapult sports in Nigeria to the next level.
The draft SIP is a revamp of the 2009 National Sports Policy carried out under the auspices of the Sports Ministry by members of the steering committee of the Sports Industry Working Group (SIWG), the policy validation committee, the National Sports Industry Policy drafting committee, relevant MDAs and Ministries.
Praising the efforts of all involved in the project, Dare described the new SIP as “a new dawn” for sports in the country and assured that the policy will stand the test of time when it is adopted by the Federal Executive Council.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, I congratulate all members of the committee for this giant stride, your commitment, dedication and doggedness to bring this draft sports policy to reality,” Dare said in a statement.
“This policy no doubt is a new dawn that will drive the process of moving sports away from being recreational to business.
“I recall the opportunity I had during the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit, to chair its Sports Industry Business Roundtable Session. The session featured various speakers from all sectors emphasizing the challenges in developing sports as a viable business sector capable of attracting investments and delivering returns to investors.
“This gave birth to setting up various groups to review our 2009 sports policy which no doubt is now obsolete.
“However the draft National Sports Industry Policy is a review of the 2009 edition, which is principally intended to update the norms and values in the sports industry in achieving the mandate, vision and mission of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in line with international best practices.
”It is important to note that this reviewed National Sports Industry Policy will proffer solutions to 4 key trigger issues – 3 I s and I P that will take sports to the next level – Infrastructure, Investment, Incentives and Policy.”
The Minister commended the permanent secretary, Mr Gabriel Aduda, the co-chairman of the steering committee Mr Ufot Udeme and other members of the committee for their invaluable contributions towards the drafting the new National Sports Industry policy.
The National sports industry policy will be unveiled to the general public and the National Council of Sports for comments and feedback before it would be officially presented to the Federal Executive Council for final approval.
