Dalung begs Buhari over Nigeria’s World Cup, Nations Cup participation
…Says Nigeria will remember him for democratizing sports
Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has sought President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention in the release of funds in three major competitions coming up between now and August this year.
The competitions according to the minister are the 2019 Africa beach soccer games in Cape Verde, in June, the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals holding June 7 to July 7 in France and the 12th All African Games scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco from August 19- 31.
Dalung, who spoke to State House correspondents on Tuesday after he met with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the quick release of funds will facilitate Nigeria’s preparation for the competitions.
He also called for Buhari’s intervention to host the African Union Volunteers Corp, as requested by the African Union which unfortunately came after the submission of the ministry’s 2019 budget proposal.
The minister who did not disclose the capital expenditure profile of each of the competition, said sports is capital intensive.
He added that the African Games has a very large contingent because Nigeria will be participating in 15 sports and five non-Olympic sports, noting that the funds would help in trainings and camping.
He said it was important to raise the issue now as the administration is already in transition mood as the life span of this administration ends in May 29.
“The President needs to be in the picture of this urgent demands as he transits to another administration by May 29,” Dalung said.
Meanwhile, the minister has declared that he will be remembered for his insistence on democratizing the leadership and membership of various sports associations which has hauled in over 700 medals from different global tournaments.
Asked to recall the highpoints of his tenure as Buhari’s first term winds up in a few weeks, Dalung said his democratization process allowed diverse people and interests to bring in fresh, positive ideas and contributions to sports associations in the country.
The minister explained that this was what enabled the sports associations to stabilize and become more effective, such that Nigerian athletes excelled enough to haul in over 700 international medals during his tenure.
He said he also reminded Buhari of the huge expectations of Nigerians from the administration in the sports sector and assured that they would not be disappointed.
