That N3.6m peanut for NSC

That N3.6m peanut for NSC

By Clem Oluwole

The meager N3.6 million allocated to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its services for the current fiscal year has come under sharp criticism in our local press.

The total allocation to the Federal Ministry for Social Development, Youth and Sports is put at N23.7 million.

Last year, the Federal Government allocated the sum of N7 million to the NSC. One would have expected something bigger this year.

The Ministry for Social Development, Youth and Sports is yet to explain why it had decided to give the NSC a “chicken feed” allocation. But as it is now, one is inclined to think that something has gone wrong somewhere.

There is a rumour that the meager allocation arose from the findings of the probe instituted into the NSC shortly after the present regime came to power. The findings should be made public in the interest of sports.

What baffles me is this: How does one reconcile this meager allocation to the NSC with the noised commitment of the Federal Government to sports?

It is just not encouraging. For a start, this is an Olympic year. One would expect our Olympic teams to be exposed to high level international competitions a month or so before the Games begin. We should admit that what is worth doing is worth doing well. Needless going to Montreal to fight a lost battle.

The Ministry for Social Development cannot close its eyes to the important role which sports have been playing in the daily life of the country.

Incidentally, the Federal Commissioner for Social Development, Youth and Sports, Major-General Olufemi Olutoye, is also the boss of the National Sports Commission.

Like he pointed out at the sports dinner party organized by the University of Ife last week, “The National Sports Commission is fully committed to ensuring that Nigeria is worthily represented at all times by the best available materials in international competitions”.

Indeed, that was a remarkable point. But if one may ask, how do we achieve this if the national associations are not financially viable enough to execute their programmes?

I have no doubt that the honourable commissioner is aware of the programmes of the NSC and those of the national sporting associations.

To achieve this desired goal, the NSC will have to make its impact felt as planned, in schools, colleges, universities and all over the country. Needless to mention that all these call for heavy expenditure.

The ministry should review the allocation to enable the NSC execute its programmes successfully.

We are a sporting nation in a hurry and funds should not constitute an impediment on our way.

We need men of action

Last week, the Military Governor of Oyo State, Brigadier David Jemibewon, donated a sum of N1,000 to the IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Nigeria’s representatives in the current Africa Cup Winners’ Cup soccer competition, who knocked out Kenya Breweries FC in the first round of the championship.

Shortly before the competition began, Governor Jemibewon promised the IICC boys heaven and earth if they win the cup.

The N1,000 donation which was made after the club’s brilliant performance in their first outing is, therefore, an indication that the governor was not making an empty promise.

We need men like Brigadier Jemibewon who back their words with action.

It is hoped that the IICC boys will justify the confidence which the governor reposes in them by bringing the cup to Nigeria.

A sip of palm wine from that cup is what Brigadier Jemibewon will be looking forward to!

(Culled from Saturday Commentary, first published on May 15, 1976).