Goodluck Jonathan Orders Reorganisation Of Sport Sector

President Goodluck
Jonathan has ordered
a total and
comprehensive re-
organisation of the
Nigerian sporting
sector following the
disastrous outing of
the country's
contingent to the
recently concluded
Olympic Games in the
United Kingdom.
Minister of Information,
Labaran Maku who
dropped the hint after
Wednesday's federal
Executive Council meeting
however declined to give
details on who may lose
his job in the planned re-
organisation of the sports
sector.
According to the Minister a
national retreat which will
involve state governments
as well as the private
sector to re-order
priorities in the Nigerian
sporting sector would be
convened to address the
challenges in the sector.
The minister said
"President Goodluck
Jonathan yesterday
(Wednesday) ordered for
total and comprehensive
re-organization of the
sporting sector, following
the disappointing
performances of the
Nigerian contingent to the
London 2012 Olympics. The
President accordingly
directed for a national
retreat which will involve
state governments as well
as the private sector to
re-order priorities in the
Nigerian sporting sector.
"He said what took place in
London must be the
beginning of a new
momentum to place
Nigerian sports at a level
that will enable this
country return to the glory
it is known for in the areas
of sports.
"President Jonathan
believes for us to change
the present scenario we
need to specialize, we
need to plan and we need
to fund sports in a way
that this country will
continue to make impact in
global competitions.
"He believes that the next
Commonwealth Games and
the 2016 Olympics in Brazil
must enable Nigeria set
specific targets and realize
them in order to promote
our sports development.
"He also called for a new
direction in sports
management as well as
funding and planning. He
believes that what this
nation needs at the
moment is to take a sober
look at what has happened
and indeed change the
scenario by working hard
on all that we need to do
to return the sporting
sector to his glory.
"Mr. President emphasised
the need for early
planning, better
administration of sports as
well as funding which he
believes can no longer be
left to the government
alone but must involve the
private sector to generate
sufficient resources to
return our sports to it's
glory.
"So in the next couple of
weeks you are going to
see action in this area as
we prepare to work and
ensure that Nigeria in
subsequent continental
and global events takes
her proper place within the
community of sporting nations"
he said.