The Kano State Government on Wednesday in Kano said it was ready to ‘support and partner’ with the Sports Performance Reward Fund (SPRF) to achieve its objective of raising N10 billion to motivate Nigerian Youth to achieve global excellence in sports and making them rich and famous.
In an hour-long meeting, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, Chief of Staff to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Executive Governor of Kano State said the Kano State Government understands and identifies with the vision of the SPRF and wants to use sports as a vehicle to engage and empower ‘our youth’ in Kano.
“We in Kano appreciate sports as a huge business that our youth can benefit a lot from and we have a lot of talent in football, boxing and athletics. especially the long distances where we have boys and girls with a lot of stamina, brave boys who will do well in boxing and wrestling. We would therefore like to support and partner with the SPRF with the capacity you have, to set up academies in the major sports.” The Chief of Staff who was accompanied by Alhaji Aminu Shuaibu Rabo, Permanent Secretary Policy and Administration Directorate said.
Adding, “We have a young and vibrant Commissioner of Sports who is only 40 years old, and we could do a lot for our young boys and girls through sports.”
In its response, the SPRF, represented by BoT member Alhaji Datti Yussuf and Godwin Kienka, executive secretary, thanked the Kano State Government for being the first State Government to host the SPRF and promised that the Kano State Government will always have a pride of place in the history of the SPRF and hoped that other State Governments would follow Kano’s lead.
“It shows that the Kano State Government is a truly progressive government with the interest of the youth at heart and we hope that other States will follow Kano’s lead. The SPRF will be glad to work with you in your sports development effort to make Kano State one of the major sports hubs in Nigeria.” Kienka who spoke on behalf of the SPRF said.
The SPRF was set up by very reputable and eminent private sector persons to raise N10 billion to warehouse as reward for podium performances at the Olympics, Commonwealth, All Africa and major World Championships.
Olympic gold is to attract N10 million, Silver N7.5 million and Broze N5 million. Commonwealth gold will attract N5 million, Silver N3 million and Bronze N2 million. The
all-Africa Games and selected World Championships will attract N3 million for gold, N2 million for silver and N1 million for Bronze.
The SPRF has Dr (Engr) Ahmadu Musa Kida as President, Odein Henry Ajumogobia SAN as Vice President National and Government, Dr Wale Sulaiman PHd. MD. CON as Vice President Diaspora and Ifueko Omogui Okauru as Vice President Finance.
The SPRF is looking for corporate partners and individuals who believe in this vision to lend a helping hand to achieve this target.
