Lagos – Alhassan Yakmut, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), on Wednesday identified marketing and sponsorship as major sources of funding for sports development.
Yakmut said this at a seminar tagged “The Future of our Sport,’’organised by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State Chapter, as part of activities marking its week at the National Stadium, Lagos.
In a presentation titled “Funding Sports in Nigeria’’, the NSC boss said that funding in sports had remained a critical issue in the country.
“Funding in sports is a major issue in this country and we have been dealing with this for a very long time and it is vibrant globally.
“The government in its own capacity has been funding sports development for years and we have vibrant private organisations that could also play a major role in sports.
“How a brand is packaged will determine what such product will attract, so our sports federation should be well packaged to attract and retain viable sponsors,’’ he said.
Yakmut said that the sports sector had the capacity to impact effectively on the economy than the entertainment industry.
He urged sports professionals and practitioners to turn the image of sports around, saying that all hands must be on deck to set sports in the right direction.
“The sports sector has a lot to contribute to the economy because it involves human capital development, infrastructural development, capacity to attract tourism and lots more, if adequately exploited,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in his presentation titled “Global Nigeria Sports,’’ described sports as a potent tool for reconciliation and rehabilitation in every society.
Pinnick also urged the media to be more objective and constructive in carrying out their duties.
He said that promoting sports administration in positive light would enable the country to enjoy more global presence and recognition.
“Our media has a major role to play to ensure that the country attracts worldwide acknowledgment that we deserve as the most popular African country in the world.
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“Nothing stops us from having representatives in major international sports organisations, that is if our media shun negative reports, this will be impossible,’’ he said.
He, however, commended Lagos SWAN for its contribution to sports development in the country. (NAN)
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