Dalung inaugurates 29 sports federation boards

Despite series of crisis that bedeviled the conduct of sports federations elections right from the candidate’s eligibility and guidelines for the elections amongst others, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, went ahead to inaugurate 29 Sports Federations presidents and their boards over the weekend.

But the inauguration of boards into Gymnastics and Taekwondo federations was put on hold pending the time a proper election will be conducted.

The inauguration which was held under a watertight security that led to the locking up of all but one gate of Abuja National Stadium to prevent aggrieved persons from protesting at the venue turned around to receive more criticism than praises.

Dalung, during the inauguration in Abuja charged the various federations’ presidents, vice presidents and the boards’ members to do everything within their power to develop their various sports in the country.

He claimed that he started the process of democratization and made a promise to Nigerians to have a better election into the boards of federations.

He noted that arising from the acceptance of this recommendation he put machineries in motion in conjunction with Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to actualize the recommendations.

The minister maintained that after the ministry has sought redress in all grey areas, the election of 29 board members of federations has been concluded with that of Taekwondo and Gymnastics remaining and date to be fixed.

He charged the presidents of various boards that with the leadership mantle given to them, they therefore have the opportunity to write their names in gold by lifting their various sports to enviable heights.

“You are to ensure that you make ready a copy of your constitution within three months; this year’s election into federation will be the last elections that will be prosecuted by the guidelines.

The next elections into federations’ boards will be prosecuted by various federations’ constitution. So, every federations must make available a copy of their constitution to the ministry,” Dalung said.

Responding on behalf of various federation boards, the former Minister of Transportation, now Rowing and Yatching president, Porbeni Festus, thanked all stakeholders for the opportunity given to them while he promised not to leave any stone unturned to ensure growth and development of sports in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, former Olympian and representative of National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS) on the AFN Board, Rosa Collins described the inauguration of AFN board with Ibrahim Gusau as president as the worst disservice done to the sport by the minister.

Collins claimed that the minister lacked what it takes to sit on that exalted seat because he never honoured his word.

The inaugurated federation boards include: Aquatic, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Rugby, Wrestling, Handball, Rowing and Yatching, Fives and Hockey amongst others.