Sports Ministry thanks President, PTF for re-opening sports

The Nigerian Federal Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for re-opening football and team sports, behind closed doors in line with COVID-19 guidelines.

The Ministry also thanked President Buhari for re-opening NYSC orientation camps for the sake of Nigeria’s youth population.

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, announced the reopening of sports without fans on Thursday under the close supervision of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and the National Agency for Disease Control.

“We commend President Muhammad Buhari, the presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for reopening football and team sports, and the NYSC Orientation which has been in the cooler since the outbreak of COVID-19,” the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Gabriel Aduda said.

“We are happy that our athletes can now return to action and do what they know how best to do, and our youth can return to camp. The last few months have been very tough for our athletes as well as the ministry.”

“The ministry shall ensure full compliance with all necessary protocols and tests before approval is given for resumption or sporting activity or football matches,” Aduda added.

Approval must be sought and given before any game is played, all protocols must be put in place and guidelines obeyed as directed by PTF and NCDC.”

The Ministry has set up a COVID-19 monitoring and approval team for every sport engagement and event in the country.

While assuring that all steps for the resumption of the Nigerian domestic league is ongoing, Aduda warned that the league would not resume until basic conditions are fulfilled.

“Indeed, the steps to return our football league to prime position is ongoing, the league will not commence until the regulations and controls in the aspect of financial and licensing control are put in place,” Aduda said.

“The NFF must put clubs on notice and enforce these regulations and controls as stipulated, otherwise the Nigerian Professional and Amateur Leagues would not be approved for resumption.”

Earlier, the Minister had directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to communicate with the clubs on the need to comply fully with financial controls and regulation as stipulated in the rule book, before a date can be fixed for the resumption of the league.