The Federal Government has assured that it would continue to collaborate with State Directors of Sports so as to ensure sports development in the country as well as empower the teeming Nigerian Youths in line with the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare gave this assurance in Benin City, the Edo State
Capital when he received in audience the newly elected Zonal Chairmen and State Directors of Sports from the 36 States of the Federation including the FCT.
Chief Dare said that Government is fully determined to the empowerment of Youths through sporting activities to enhance the economic development and growth of the country.
While commending the State Directors of Sports for conducting a peaceful and fair election into positions of Zonal Chairmen from the six geopolitical zones of the country, for an effective and robust sports development at the grassroots level, Chief Dare assured further that the Ministry would sustain the existing cordial relationship so as to help identify potential talents that would represent the country at international competitions.
While expressing his satisfaction over the conduct of electing their representatives from the six geopolitical zones, the Minister said the State Directors of Sports from the 36 states and FCT, deserve commendation for their maturity and unity of purpose which culminated into a peaceful and fair election .
In his earlier remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Nebeolisa Anako acknowledged the State Directors of Sports/ Zonal Chairmen as a formidable team that has always added value to sports development in the country.
He urged them to maintain the existing cordial relationship that produced a successful 20th National Sports festival tagged ” Edo 2020 Games.”
Also speaking, the newly elected Chairman Mr Isaac Isaac said their visit was to officially present themselves to the Management team of the Ministry and to further seek collaboration with the Ministry.