By KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development North West Zonal has called on States Sports Councils to constitute sports associations with credible individuals that have the passion for the growth and development of various sports/games at state level based on the collective desire and interest for the development of youth through sporting activities that will greatly add to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.
The call was contained in a 15-point communique issued at the end of a three-day meeting of Directors of Sports from North West, issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, jointly signed by Chairman North-West Zone Director of Sports, Nalado Iro Kankiya, Representative of Chairmen North-West Zone Athletics Associations, Alhaji Moh’d S. Sule and the Zonal Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, North-West Zone, Abdullahi Idris.
It appreciated the level of sporting facilities constructions atKaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states in the document titled, “Communique At The End Of North-west Zone COVID:19Awareness/sensitization Lecture, U-17 Table Tennis championship And Deliberations On Sports/related Matters Held At Ahmadu Bello Stadium-media Center, Kaduna On The 29th August, 2020”.
They urged communities based sports clubs, associations and organizations to formally register/affiliate with relevant associations at states and.national level for recognition, support and technical assistance on modern ways of practice.
The forum Thanked the President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation for willing to sponsor the Zone’s U-17 Championship and further assured him of the states readiness to participate.
They also thanked His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima the Chairman, Kano State Sports Commission for viral sports policies and programmes thatare positively affecting the lives of youth and the kind gestures accorded to the Zonal Sports office.
The North West Zone through the communique, announced recalling of Honourable Ibrahim Gusau from the Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
“Recall Honourable Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau from the Board ofAthletics Federation of Nigeria as a result of inefficiency/effectiveness in leadership qualities that leads to his loss of Chairmanship position of Zamfara State Athletics Association, Lack of Communication between states and the zonal office, lack of consistence grassroots developmental programme (Athletics), collective desire for hitch free growth and development of the athletics sector at the state, the zone and hitherto the loss of confidence of the stakeholders whom are his electorate,” the communique.said.
The North West Zone stakeholders at the same meeting which ended at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday, nominated a replacement for Gusau.
“Nominated Comrade Jamilu Aliyu, Zannan Gusau, Kachallan Hausaand District Head of Karal to replace our recalled elected member on the Board of Athletics Federation of Nigeria with immediate effect pending election,” it said.
The forum, also tired of enduring their non performance, have called for the suspension of Representatives of the zone on boards of eight Federations, as well as cautioned others on ten Federations.
“Call on the Board of Cycling, Handball, Basketball, Hokey, Boxing, Rugby, Table Tennis and Traditional Sports Federations to without delay temporarily suspend our representatives from the Federations for lakadaisical attitude towards responsibilities envisaged from them at states and zonal level,” it said.
The communique also called on the North-West Zonal Representatives on the boards of Aquatics, Chess, Deaf Sports, Fives, Rowing, Canoeing and Yachting, Shooting, Tennis and Wrestling to within the next two weeks of this Communique, submit their score card since election to the Zonal Sports office through their respective dtates Directors of Sports.
Meanwhile, they expressed sincere appreciation to the Zonal representatives onthe Boards of Volleyball, Cricket, Taekwondo, and weightlifting for their track records of performances at states, zonal and national levels.
“Decisions taken are in the Best Interest of States and the Zone forUnhindered Progress and Sports Developments,” it said.
The Communique informed that the lecture session which was part of the engagement recorded the participation of four (4) Directors of Sports, two representatives and twelve (12) others while the deliberations session recorded the attendance of four (4) Directors of Sports, two (2) representatives two (2) States Athletics Chairmen and Four (4) Representatives with the Zonal Sports Coordinator.
“As the end of the sessions enumerated above, the house unanimously resolved as follows:
“Praises the concerted Efforts of the Federal Government under theLeadership of President Muhammad Buhari for immediate measures taken in handling the COVID-19 Pandemic that brought life and Sportingactivities to a near standstill until the easing of lockdown and the goahead for Non-Contact Sporting events and activities to hold.
“Gave kudos to the Leadership of the Federal Ministry of Youth andSports Development for setting the pace in the fight for the dreadeddisease in the society, most especially in the Sporting Cycle and Arena etc by creating the much needed Awareness/Sensitizations on the issue ie COVID-19 Sports Participation Codes.
“Participants at the lecture assured the Leadership of the FederalMinistry of Youth and Sports Development of disseminating lessons leamt at the lecture to their people (staff) back at their respective states.
“Expressed their appreciation for donated facemasks and hand sanitizers to states under the zone,” it said.
