Olympic Games: No Transparency In Intervention Funds - National Assembly Faults Sports Ministry

Olympic Games: No Transparency In Intervention Funds - National Assembly Faults Sports Ministry

Ibrahim Lateef

The Ministry of Sports Development has been criticized for the lack of transparency in the allocation of intervention funds for the 2024 Olympic Games by the 10th National AssemblyAssembly, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The Nigerian government has allocated billions of naira for each participation in the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Ekene Adams, expressed disapproval of the situation in which most Sports Federations sponsor their athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games without the support of the Ministry. 

However, the Sports Ministry receives government funding on behalf of the sports federations once they have qualified.

He said, “80% of the National Sports Federation don't get a dime from the funds allocated for them in the budget in each calendar year.”

He advised the Federal Government to ensure that the intervention funds are scrutinized by the National Assembly before being passed.

“The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government prioritised transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds and the intervention funds for the Olympic Games should follow the same procedure by involving the National Assembly in the scrutiny of the funds. This will ensure that the athletes, coaches and Presidents of the Federations benefit from the funds.

"Transparency in the process is crucial to ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently for the development of Sports in Nigeria. Without proper oversight, there is a risk that the funds could be mismanaged or misappropriated leading to waste of resources and missed opportunity to support the dedicated Nigerian athletes who put the country's name on the global map."

He further said, “For instance, foreign athletes who spent their hard-earned money on a flight to and fro Ghana for African Games have not received the refund, also, coaches and many other athletes have not received their monetary prize for medals won at the All African Games in Ghana.

“The delay in settlement of these funds will further dampen the spirits of the athletes which in turn may affect Nigeria's performance at the Olympics.

"We must do everything to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda.

The President has been doing everything to make sure that Nigeria is placed among the best in the world and the 10th National Assembly shares the same with the President. Therefore, the struggle to place the country among the best should not be left to the Presidency alone."