LAGOS – The Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) on Wednesday urged state governments to promote the development of school sports as a means of discovering new talents.
The President of the federation, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Mohammed spoke against the backdrop of the neglect of grassroots sports development in so many states of the country.
“I really praise those states, like Lagos and Kano, since the inception of NSSF they have never failed their national competition they are always there.
“For over 30 years they are always there, so kudos to those that have been sponsoring their athletes.
“We really appreciate them, look at Cross River; it is coming up seriously and Anambra is coming up seriously.
“And there are states such as Katsina, Niger and Borno states even in spite of all the problems they are facing you will see them participating.
“The child rights should not be denied by the elders.
“History will talk about it and that’s why now we raise our arms and praise people like Ogbemudia. During their time they supported children.
“It is only from school sports that you can nurture sports in this country and that’s where age group commences.
“And the aim of the NSSF is to showcase these children from different corners of this country; the children should be given opportunity.’’