President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday, promised to set up a special fund for athletes so they can continue their trainings without hitched ahead of competitiive as well as be able to attend competitions in good time without being delayed as a result of lack of funds.
He has also promised a new deal for retired sportsmen and women in Nigeria so that they will continue to feel the impact of an appreciative nation if re-elected for another four-year tenure.
He made the pledge when he led government officials as well as sportsmen and women on an out-door physical training exercise in Abuja aimed at promoting sports and fitness in Nigeria.
Addressing hundreds of sportsmen and women who gathered for a solidarity rally for him at the Eagle Square, Abuja yesterday, he outlined five areas he said he would focus on in his next administration to properly cater for the needs of active and retired sportspersons.
The three other areas include, increase funding for sport federations, education fund for athletes interested in further studies, fund for injured athletes and the revitalization of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).
Jonathan said he was passionate about sports because of its ability to engender unity and regretted that there were former sportsmen and women who now live in poverty after doing the nation proud.
He vowed that if re-elected such would never happen under his administration.
The president thanked the former and present national sports heroes for there presence at the solidarity rally and promised never to let them down of give another opportunity.
He said, “This is a short programme but carries a lot of weight and tells the international community a lot. Seeing our sports legends mixing with our young champions makes us very proud. Our country has men and women that can carry us to the next level of development.
“We have started implementing the decision taken during the retreat and is already paying off. We are very proud of those that have won us medals.
“We are going to set up a special fund that can act as a stop gap so that athletes trainings and competition will not be delayed. For those that want to improve their educational career and do not have fund, we will have fund for that. For those who got injured and can no longer continue, we must have funds to take care of them. For those who have made this country proud because sports is one thing that brings unity to this country, we no longer view our tribes and religion as an issue when our sports men and women are playing soccer. Sports projects the image of this country. We must encourage you. I feel touched when sports men who have made our country proud turn beggers, that will no longer happen. We must strengthen our institutions, government will pioneer the funds but it will be managed by the private sector. We will continue to budget for sports but we need that intervention fund and if properly handled Nigeria will continue to dominate in the world of sports in the world.
“So that Nigeria will continue to be rated as best sports country in the world”, he said.
Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo said Nigeria required a sports loving and young president like Jonathan rather than a 73 years old leader and therefore called on all Nigerian youths to return Jonathan to power on March 28th.
In his address, Senate President David Mark, said he was in support of the endorsement of Jonathan by sportsmen and women and urged them to vote enmasse for him.
Sports minister, Tami Danagogo observed that President Jonathan had done more for sports for Nigeria than any other leader and also called on all sports lovers in the country to vote for him for another tenure to enable him to concretize his transformation agenda for sports.
Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo who led other former Eagles players for the rally said just like he accomplished his goal for a hundred caps milestone as national player, the president would realize his objective for a second term.
He pledged that all sports people would support the president’s re-election because of what he has done for sports in the country.
Former African queen of the tracks, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Nigerian’s only international Canoeing athlete, Jonathan Akinyemi and former Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavon, spoke in the same vein, asking all sportsmen and Nigerian youths to vote for the re-election of Jonathan.
“We are here as sportsmen and women to express solidarity with a president who has identified with sports more than any other has attempted. We are here to tell the youth and all Nigerians that sports have a future as long as Jonathan continues as president,” Eguavon said.
The president led a road walk from the Presidential Villa to Eagle Square venue of the rally accompanied by Vice President Sambo, Senate President Mark, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, ministers and other top government officials.
Among former Super Eagles players present at the rally in Eagle Square were Kanu Nwankwo, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West; members of the national senior female team, the Super Falcons as well as tens of Paralymians.
