By Femi Atolagbe

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Former President of Nigeria Para Swimming Federation, Sylvester Ikuejamoye has canvassed for the return of National Sports Commission (NSC).

He said such will encourage professional participation in sports administration in the country.

Ikuejamoye stated this in Akure at a media parley.

Recalled that Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare in an interview said efforts had reached advanced stage for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Ikuejamoye said professionals being under the ministry of youths and sports had not been able to yield the much needed results for the development of sports in the country.
He noted that the ministry of sports will be able to focus more on policies and overall supervision with the commission in place.

The former chairman of Ondo State Weightlifting Association also said professionals would understand and know better, gimmicks and intrigues the sports they had participated in over the years.

“Bringing back the sports commission will encourage professional participation in the administration of sports.

“If you kill professionals under the ministry of youths and sports as its stands today, you won’t get much results as you would have it if we have the national sports commission, where professionals will lead the way and every other sections will follow.

“I am not saying the professionals are one hundred per cent saints, but they know the language to use, they know the intrigues, they have the technicality, they know the inroads, they know the exits, so if we have the NSC, It is my fervent believe that we will do better.

“And if for whatever reasons, there is one or two hiccups, they will be held responsible because they are the professionals.

Some of the setbacks we have had in the past is that some of these people (at the helms of affairs) don’t know anything about sport at all,” he said.

Ikuejamoye also urged government at various levels to always put those that have the experience in sports the opportunity to serve and man the affairs of sports at all level.
“Sports should be given special consideration by government like I have not seen an engineer becoming commissioner for justice at a state level neither can you send an engineer to the office of accountant general of a state, it’s not just possible.

“Give to Caezer what belongs to Caezer and that is one of the surest way we can develop sport in this part of the world,” he said.

The national Public Relations Officer (PRO) Nigeria Association for Physical and Health Education Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD) urged government to create a level playing ground for sponsors to invest in the sports sector.