NAN-S-11
Sponsorship
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, says the ministry will do everything possible to restore the confidence of corporate bodies and multinationals on sports sponsorship.
Dalung made the assertion in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Anibeze on Wednesday in Abuja.
The statement said there was need to correct the misgivings on sports sponsorship funds to sports federations and other sports organisations.
It said the minister made the promise when he visited the Chief Executive of Total Upstream Nigeria Companies, Mr Nicolas Terraz, adding that the ministry was embarking on some major reforms.
It noted that the ministry would work with corporate sponsors to supervise and monitor all sports sponsorship funds and grants to ensure they were used for the purpose.
The statement said minister thanked the Total Group for the 15 million dollars invested in African youths through the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over eight years.
“That is an evidence that Total Group recognises that massive talents abound in Africa and appreciates the role sports can play in engaging and empowering youths.
“It can also help in solving the problems of poverty and crime and the reckless immigration journeys to Europe by our youths.
“Although Nigeria did not qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, we have exciting young talents like Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and others who are world class players.
“This will make Nigeria get global attention at the World Cup in no distant future. So, we hope that this sponsorship will trickle down to Nigeria,’’ the statement said.
“It is important to perform well at international competitions but most importantly, is to invest and develop structures and systems to harness and nurture the talents that abound in Nigeria.
“To become world class stars who will create wealth for themselves and the nation. The more sports talents we can produce and export the better for us.’’
The statement said that Terraz had thanked the minister for the visit and said he agreed with him on the need to use sports to solve problems of poverty, crime and immigration.
“Total has been very supportive of sports programmes and creative activities in Nigeria, especially in our host communities and areas with youth restiveness across the nation.
“We shall continue to do more to support sports in the country,’’ the statement quoted the managing director as promising. (NAN)
DE/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)