Sports Minister John Owan Enoh has read the riot act to the presidents and the secretaries of all national sports federations in the country, saying the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu do not want federation presidents who are not committed but only there to protect their personal interests.
Enoh gave the warning during a meeting with all sports federation presidents and secretaries in Abuja yesterday.
He said the government continues to have the responsibility to ensure proper governance in federations and will provide oversight on the plans each federation executes.
“The ministry will continue to play its advisory roles and we are going to be transparent and communicate more. We must set targets for ourselves. We must get to a point in which those who want to be presidents must sufficiently challenge the norm about what they think they want to offer and what fuels their decision to run for that position.”
“We need to show more commitment, focus and passion to succeed. We do not want federation presidents who are not committed or are only there to protect their own interests. We need the commitment of the leadership of all the federations,” Enoh said.
Speaking at the meeting, some of the federation leaders highlighted their successes, plans and areas for further improvements. President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih said that early preparation is vital for the 2024 Olympic Games, with the federation aiming to fly the flag of Nigeria in Paris.
The Minister reiterated that the ministry will collaborate with all sports federations to ensure they are provided with all they need to thrive.
