ILORIN – The immediate past Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday said that he succeeded during his tenure because he identified and addressed the politics plaguing the sector.
Abdullahi told newsmen in llorin that he took over the ministry when Nigeria sport was really down, saying that the challenges were clear but that he reversed the enormous task to fortune.
“I first identified the politics that plagued the sporting sector and addressed it which enabled me to record the laudable achievements within the period I spent in the ministry,” he said.
According to him, 64 cases are in court against the ministry but that they were resolved amicably within his short period in office.
“During the 2011/2012 league season, there was no sponsor for the Nigerian Premier League, which prompted me to establish the League Management Company.
“A broadcast sponsor of N4 million was also secured from Supersports for the success of the league,’’ he added.
Abdullahi, who denounced insinuation that he was basically a football minister, said all sporting activities were given a face lift while he was in office.
He added that during his tenure, the services of four international coaches were also secured for the development of athletics in the country.
The former minister added that he also ensured financial upliftment of match officials to challenge allegation of corruption leading to poor officiating.
Abdullahi, who also expressed joy for his achievements, however, added that a lot still needed to be done in the sports sector.
He called for cooperation between the government and stakeholders to regain the lost glory in the sector.
The former minister and former chairman, National Sports Commission, advocated for the need for Nigeria to have a long term plan to reverse the lost fortunes. (NAN)
