Sport Minister, Amokachi, Yobo Honoured, Makes Hall Of Fame |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, alongside two ex Internationals, Daniel Amokachi, popularly referred to as ‘The Bull’, and former Everton Football Club and Olympique Marseille Football Club of France defender, Joseph Yobo, were listed in  the Hall of Fame Award for the year 2020 for their impact  in sports Development.

The trio were honoured for their impact, not only in football where they made their marks, but in Sports generally.

The Minister was applauded  for initiating  the Sports Industry Thematic Group of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG)  and the breakthrough  in creating the Nigerian Sport Industry Policy.

This initiative was targeted at completely revolutionizing sports in Nigeria both in participation and revenue when fully  operational.

The impact is aimed to be felt  hopefully in  growing the national economy.

On his part, Amokachi, was singled out following his appointment  as Special Assistant  to President  Muhamadu Buhari . His appointment  is  expected to  impact positively  on sports Development.

For Yobo, his appointment  as Assistant  National Team coach to Rohr is  expected to restore  confidence of home- based players and instil confidence  in indigenous  coaches.

The award is a result  of the independent  poll conducted by former Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist at the  Sydney 2000 Games, Enefiok Udo Obong.

Others who made the list include President  of the  Badminton  Federation of  Nigeria Francis Orbirh, President  of the Nigerian  Basketball  Federation  Engineer Musa Kida for outstanding performance  as administrators.

For successfully  securing  sponsorship  for major athletics  events in Lagos,  Ijebu Ode, Kaduna and  Remo, Ninlayo  Sports Marketing  Company was adjudged  as the Marketing  Company  of the year.

This is in recognition  of its  role in not only organizing major events,  but securing  sponsorship  despite the economic  crunch  due to the outbreak of covid- 19.

For playing an ignoble role and  bringing sports to disrepute,  Former President  of the Atheletics Federation Shehu Gusau was listed in the Hall of Shame, just like   the Nigeria Football Federation for ‘rewarding’ the mediocrity of Gernot Rohr with a new contract which even includes a protection fee of Two million dollars.

Also,  The League Management Company (LMC) for being unable to organize a proper league and for  failing  to make the  league more competitive on the continent.

Gusau and his rejected AFN stand out like a sore thumb for putting self-interest ahead of the interest of the sport. While he fights to keep his position in a board that obviously rejects him, his opposition to settlement, undemocratic decisions and his divisional stance have stunted the growth of athletics in the country.

While athletes crave for support and competition, his attention has been in the national court suing to try and legitimatize his position.

It has been counterproductive for athletes as a whole as there still remains uncertainty in the running of the Sport in Nigeria.