Senator Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North senatorial district and vice chairman senate committee on sports, has stressed the importance of sports in national development and the need for all Nigerians to engage in sports, regardless of age.
Speaking during the 5Stars Premier League 2024 finale in Abuja on Saturday, the Senator emphasized that sports should not be seen as mere recreation but as a professional endeavor, with consistent investment needed at both grassroots and national levels.
Fielding questions at the event, Senator Nwoko, a passionate advocate for sports development, pointed out the challenges Nigeria faces in identifying and nurturing sporting talent, particularly lamenting the ad hoc preparations for international competitions like the Olympics.
He said: “As a nation, we must make conscious efforts to invest in sports. Identifying talent remains a challenge, but the bigger issue lies in nurturing, funding, and preparing our athletes.
“We cannot continue to wait until two months before major competitions like the Olympics to provide support. We will never do well with such last-minute planning. Other nations camp their athletes for years—how do we compete with such preparedness?”
As the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Ned Nwoko disclosed that the committee has taken a firm position against this trend, calling for sustainable and consistent funding for athletes.
“We don’t have to wait until a month or two before any competition to release funds. There must be consistent and sustainable funding to develop real, long-term plans that will yield results.”
The Delta North lawmaker, who founded the Sports University of Nigeria (SUN) to nurture young talents in over 27 sports disciplines while offering academic training, reiterated the need for a comprehensive approach to sports education.
Reflecting on his personal experience, Senator Ned Nwoko said, “I have always been involved in sports from my primary school days, through secondary school, and even in the universities I attended in England.
“Sports have always been part of my life, which is why I built the Sports University of Nigeria (SUN). We offer over 27 different sports, alongside academics, because we want to nurture well-rounded individuals—both athletes and scholars.
“Our goal is not just to create sports stars but to ensure they are also grounded in quality education, so they have something to fall back on after their sports careers.”
He also applauded the 5Stars Premier League for providing a platform for young talents to showcase their abilities, stating, “Programs like this are very useful because people who come to watch can spot two or three talents and invest in them, providing the support they need to grow. That is why I have supported this league from the beginning.”
The 6th season of the 5Stars Premier League concluded on Saturday, with Wireless FC of Abuja emerging as National Champions after defeating OjoduCity FC of Lagos. The league, which started on June 15, spanned 18 weeks across Abuja, Kwara, Kaduna, and Lagos.
