The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Saturday in Abuja appealed for more private sector investment in sports to enhance its growth.
Dalung made the appeal while speaking with newsmen at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Tennis League Cup.
The minister said he appreciated NCC for sponsoring the league, adding that it was a medium to select talents for greater tournaments.
“Basically, I think sports generally is driven by the private sector all over. In the past, we had the support of the private sector. But, of late, their participation reduced considerably.
“However, I want to assure them that we will do much to introduce accountability in the management of sports by inviting them to come. Let them come and drive sports.
“Let them come and control sports, so that it can create jobs, wealth and a healthy nation. This is our foreign reserve base. We can even use sports to unite Nigeria,’’ he said.
Dalung, however, acknowledged that some private organisations have been supporting the development of sports in the country.
“We have good partners. They have been supportive, and they have also gone further to provide resources to encourage young people. I want to appeal to them that they need to do more.
“They need to open up the space for more participation and they should take this down to another level so that we can identify younger talents and develop them.
“This can increase our strength and participation in future events,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 teams will participate in the second edition of the NCC Tennis League Cup.
The League is expected to end in December.