Gov. Abdufatah Ahmed Drums Support For NSDFI

Kwara State Governor, Abdufatah Ahmed Drums Support for NSDFI By Niyi Busari In a courtesy visit to formally kick-off the public support for the initiative of the Nigeria Sports Development Fund Incorporated (NSDFI) to the Kwara state governor, Abdufatah Ahmed at the Kwara state government house in Ilorin on Monday. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed who received Mr. Jide Fashikun, chief Mary Onyali (MFR) and other members of the delegate in his office promised to support the initiative by raising and discuss the initiative with other governors at the next governors forum. The number one Kwara state citizen added that he will do everything to make sure that it becomes a success. "I am happy to have Jide Fashikun and Mary Onyali in my office, what amazes me most is that they are not here for their selfish reasons but on how to better the life and career of young athletes across the country. "I am convinced that the programme will go a long way in putting Nigeria where it ought to be at the international competitions because the money raised from from the programme will make them start the preparation programmes for the games ahead of the finals, to further support this i will discuss it with other governors at the Governor Forum meeting." The Director-General of the NSDFI Mr. Jide Fashikun who led the delegate to the state house appealed for the support of the governor and also noted that he wishes to start the fund raising of N900 million grant being planned to support and elevate Nigerian athletes from the grassroots to stardom from home. He reiterated that it is pertinent to start such enormous programme from home after the minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung launched it in August in Abuja. According to him, the Elite Athlete Development Grant is to ensure that athletes are rightly prepared to represent the nation and increase its medal chances at Tokyo 2020. He argued that government alone cannot finance sports as it always struggle to balance between the expenditure and income the state is faced with. Fashikun made the pledge on Monday in an interview with the Basic Sports in Nigeria (BSN Sports) in Ilorin, on the sidelines of the funds launch in Abuja. According to him, the Elite Athletes Development Grant is to ensure that athletes are highly prepared to represent the nation and increase it’s medal chances at Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “N10 million grant will be given to each athlete to ensure they are engaged with qualitative training programme, standard kits and equipment and also, their welfare will be taken care of during the period. “Ninety athletes from five federations expected to benefit the grant from launching till November ending,” he said. The director-general gave reason for the emphasis on how the fund should be used. Fashikun said Taekwondo, Athletics, Wrestling, Para Sports, Shooting would be privileged to get 90 athletes prepared for next Olympics, adding that weightlifting was suspended. He said aggressive 90 days campaign would follow the formal launch to mobilise 4.5 million Nigerians to donate N200 each to support 90 of our athletes ahead of the Olympics. “Each nominated athlete will be presented a giant cheque, comprehensive life insurance cover and other appurtenances. “They will be handed over to them to enable adequate team plan and preparation,” he said. Fashikun added that “no athlete will be given grant on the day of launching because an earlier nominated athlete’s parents wanted the cash not following preparation plans. “We cannot ensure adequate use of the money through such disbursement. “Also, part of the objective of the fund is to ensure adequate preparation of athletes for reasonable time and proper programmes ahead of global competitions,” he said. Chief Mrs. Mary Onyali who spoke to newsmen at the state house emphasised on the importance of the programme which according to her is that the athletes raised through the platform will self dependent with at least four mentees under him or her whom he or she will depend on after retirement. There will also be certain percentage of the athletes money set aside to be invested stock markets which can only be assessed in his retirement age. "The programme will go a long way in shaping the future of Nigeria athletes as they will be self dependent and also will not become beggars during their retirement days."