Why Minister of Sports Initiative Cannot Be Achieved Now - Dr. Are

Why Minister of Sports Initiative Cannot Be Achieved Now - Dr. Are

By Niyi Busari

The Director, Grassroots Sports Development Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ademola Are has said that the minister of sports initiative of sports remitting money into government coffers cannot be achieved now, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare had stated that until sports is seen as business rather than entertainment, it will not grow beyond what we are witnessing in Nigeria.

Are, in an interview on FCT Football Update - a WhatsApp group, said the time when sports will begin to remit money into government coffers is not now.

"You cannot have enough funds to put up a good tournament like the National Youth Games, the more money you have, the more grandiose your programme becomes. But we are looking forward to a day when the benefit from the Honourable minister initiative especially when you look at the sports industry policy, there will be a time after hosting a particular program to be able to money back to the government coffers."

In the developed countries, sports is seen as business hence the development and contribution to their countries' GDP but it is seen as entertainment rather than business in Nigeria.