By Isaiah Eka
The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish a centre of excellence for grassroots sports across the country to harness young talents for future development of the sector in the country.
The Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko, disclosed this on Friday at the closing ceremony of MTN Champs season 3 at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium in Uyo.
Dikko said that MTN Champs as quite credible and brilliant championship scouting for future talents and in a alignment with the vision of President Bola Tinubu administration to give the youth a pathway for a better future.
He noted that school is the basis for grassroots sports development and therefore the need for the establishment of one university across geopolitical zones, one secondary in each state and a primary as a centre of excellence in each Local Government.
“Clearly what is happening here is in tandem with what the Federal Government is trying to do. Part of the focus in sports now at the moment is clearly youth development.
“This is why the President even appointed a Senior Special Assistant on grassroots sports.
“He has the vision and the mindset that grassroots sports worth the future and we at the national sports commission are doing to activate this.
“Part of it is creating what we called the centre of excellence, we are trying to work with the Federal Ministry of Education to create the centre of excellence in our schools
“For school is the basis for grassroots sports development. So, for each zone of the country, we are going to have one university as a centre of excellence.
“For each state, we are going to have one secondary school as a centre of excellence for sports and for each local government we are going to have one primary school as a centre for excellence for sports,” Dikko said.
He said that in the forthcoming national sports festival, opportunity would be given to the young athletes to participate to showcase their talents.
In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom said that the fundamentals of the MTN Champs was that of discovering talents that will represent the country in future Olympics and championships.
Eno, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah, said that governments at all levels have a duty to guarantee the youth of their future in all endeavours including sports.
“The fundamentals of this championship is that of discovering talents at the grassroots and nurturing to stardom is one of the cardinal features of our Arise Agenda.
“We are determined to comb schools in search of stars and potential champions that will represent this country in future Olympics and world championships.
“We owe the next generation a duty to ensure and guarantee their future in all endeavours, be it in sports or other professional callings they may to pursue.
“We are saying so, because there is no gain saying that sports has become a billion dollars investment that has made superstars out of, otherwise normal athletes,” Eno said.
Earlier, Modupe Kadiri, Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, about 7, 000 athletes registered for the MTN Champs season 3
Kadiri said that MTN Champs was more than just a competition; rather a platform for the young ones to actualise their dreams.
“It is an investment in the future of Nigerian athletics, providing opportunities for young talents to discover their potential and strive for excellence.
“The memories created here, the lessons learned, and the friendships forged will last a lifetime,” Kadiri said.
Kadiri said that 10 exceptional MVPs emerging from season 3 would join the current roster of 20 MVPs in their continued pursuit of excellence.
“We are particularly proud that three of our current MVPs in the academy hail from Akwa Ibom the host State.
“We eagerly look forward to them making the state proud by representing on a global stage in the near future,” he said.
The Top 10 Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) of the MTN Champs grand final were revealed during the closing ceremony the MTN Champs season 3 in Uyo after four days championship.
The MTN Champs season 3 which began in Lagos then moved to Benin city with the grand final in Uyo.
The 10 MVPs selected in Uyo were honoured for their outstanding performances across the four days of competition were; Abdulaleem Abdulsalam and Ebimoboere Christopher.
Others included; Saviour Nnokama, Bernice Onoriode, Victory Aganya, Muhammed Jimoh, Jesulayomi Ogundijo, Ejiro Peter, Miracle Sonny and William Stanley.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of medals and trophies to deserving athletes and schools.
