Covid-19: Nigerians Disagree With Sports Minister On Contact Sports Resumption

Covid-19: Nigerians Disagree With Sports Minister On Contact Sports Resumption

By Niyi Busari

Sports loving Nigerians on Monday were not on the same page with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare on resumption date for football and other contact sports in Nigeria, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Sunday Dare on Monday urged Nigerians to exercise patience as the Federal Government, Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF) as well as the ministry of sports are working together in making sure that suspension is lifted on football and other contact sports.

Sunday Dare tweeted: "Still on Contact Sports Resumption: we have provided more information and justification as needed.The FG, the PTF and indeed the MYSD are on the same page. It’s better to err on the side of caution.Conversations are ongoing and soon we shall witness the return of contact sports."

In response to the tweet by the minister, Nigerians frown at the way government allowed people to gather in thousands without applying Covid-19 protocol during the political campaigns in Ondo and Edo states, yet same government claims contact sports can not resume due to Coronavirus pandemic.

@BFCClinic2020 responded: "This is what we be hearing without proactive step….. Must we attached everything with politics in this country? Campaign is going on in Edo and Ondo. And still yet football can not resume in the same country policians are gathering thousands of their supporters. Yeye de smell"

A top sport journalist and Board member, Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, Oni Guarantor also contributed; "Dear Minister, if we go by what is happening politically in Ondo and Edo, we have already erred.

"Considering the livelihood of many Nigerians tied to sports, we need to be more proactive and do the needful

"If we are locking down, let it be wholesome and not selective"

Former Nigeria Football League referee and broadcaster, Chinedum Ohanusi said; "Conversation? ☝️NO, I think nativity is the problem we are grappling with. Otherwise why are the leagues in SA, Egypt, Tanzania, Morocco all on. Ghana will soon restart. 🇳🇬"

Recall that the PTF lifted suspension on all sporting activities two weeks ago, and that attracted positive response from Nigerians including the minister of sports, Sunday Dare thanking the PTF and President Muhammadu Buhari. Last week, the PTF made a U-turn and said football and other contact sports cannot resume at least for now.