Sports Development: A Task For All

A call has been made to corporate organisations, groups and well meaning individuals to contribute more towards the development of sports in the FCT.

Ahead of the rescheduled 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2024”, the Director, FCT Sports Department, Mr. Luka Istifanus, affirmed the commitment of the sports administration to foster the continued growth of sports in the Territory.

Istifanus, pointed out some of the challenges face in administering sports in the nation’s capital, which according to him have prevented the FCT from attaining its rightful position in Nigeria’s sporting hierarchy.

“The administration of sports in the FCT is difficult in the sense that it is civil servant dominated unlike places like Lagos, Rivers or Delta states where you have multinational companies that contribute to the growth of sports there,” he said.

“Here sports funding is left entirely to government and there is a limit to what the government can do without the support of the private sector,” he said.

The Director added, “We have companies here, mostly construction, banks and other service providers who can complement the laudable efforts of government in the area of sports sponsorship.”

He stressed that with such partnerships, the FCT and Nigeria in general will be better off in terms of providing a source of livelihood to young Nigerians and, thereby keeping them off the streets and away from social vices.

Apart from that he said, the economy of the nation stands to benefit in view of the huge potential of sports as a major contributor to the GDP of nations.

Istifanus, was however, optimistic and full of hope that with proper execution of its plans and the constant support of the Wike led FCT Administration, Team FCT will be able to participate fully all upcoming sporting events in the coming year starting the National Sports Festival in January.

This, plus the welfare of the athletes and coaches is the major focus of the department for now.