Sen. John Enoh, minister of sports development, gave an explanation of his decision to move his office to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.
He claimed he wanted to personally monitor what was happening in the sports centre and guarantee that everything was put away properly.
“After visiting MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, I argued that my office as minister of sports development must be there rather than in the secretariat.
“I’ve already made that choice; it’s my responsibility to see that the ministry functions properly, and we must do so. Ninety percent of our sporting departments are located at MKO Abiola Stadium.
“All of the secretariats for the federations, athletes, and football players are located at the stadium. It is crucial that my office be located at the stadium for the sake of coordinating and keeping a close check.
The success in the sports industry is what counts to me; I don’t mind the hurdles. The remaining sports departments should be at the stadium, I have also instructed the permanent secretary in a memo,” he added.
Enoh reiterated that the growth of sports and the ways in which they may contribute to national development would be his primary concerns.
The development of sports, including infrastructure and amenities at the grassroots level where the true talents are found, will be the first emphasis of the sports minister’s work.
“I hope that those Ajegunle athletes who have talent become world-class athletes. Where there are less chances or where people may not have the chance to express themselves, we want to go.
“I want to offer things like a basketball court to people who live in the countryside and other places. The best boxers are frequently created in local settings rather than in places with a high standard of living.
In his own words, “I want to provide these things and not just say it, and at the end of my tenure, we want to count tangible things that have given us social inclusion that will translate to sports development.”
According to NAN, Enoh visited the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, on Thursday as part of his continuous efforts to evaluate the state of the nation’s important sporting venues.
He began his inspection at the stadium complex, where he went to the National Institute of Sports, the boxing arena, the stadium’s main bowl, the sports medicine clinic, and other facilities.
Additionally, he looked over the lodging facilities in the Games Village, the Legacy Pitch, the Power House, and the sports courts. (NAN)
