Minister's Dissolution Of 31 Sports Federations Divides Nigeria Mediat

  Minister's Dissolution Of 31 Sports Federations Divides Nigeria Media By Admin Members of the Nigerian Media have been divided over the sudden decision of the Nigeria Sports Minister, Sunday Dare sacking of the board of the 31 sporting federations few weeks to the commencement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The social media has been agog since the famous or infamous announcement with some in line with the Minister’s decision while the others group totally against it. Those in favour of the Minister are of the opinion that the tenures of the Sporting Federations have expired since last year but for the outbreak of the corona virus last year forced the Ministry to overlook their dissolution. They argued that rather than flex muscles with the Minister the Federation board members should do themselves lot of good by cooperating with the Minister. But those against the Minister’s decision to dissolve the Sporting Federations have stressed that the timing was totally wrong considering that the Nation would be participating at the Tokyo Olympics Games in few weeks wondering why the Minister was such in a rush. They added the dissolution was done to get rid of the President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Shehu Gusau who is recognised as the authentic AFN president by the Nigerian Court and the International bodies while the Minister, Sunday Dare recognize Olamide George as the AFN President. These group argued that the decision was totally a needless distraction for a country hoping to do well at the Olympics while also maintaining that it does not paint the Nation in good light for a caretaker committee leading the teams to a major Games like the Olympics.. They particularly questioned the right of the Minister to Dissolve the Federations saying by their new constitution they are now answerable to the International bodies which they are affiliated to. They therefore noted that the action may attract serious sanctions from the International bodies.   Minister Dissolves Boards of 31 Sports Federations, Set Up Caretaker Committees   In keeping with the Olympic Charter which stipulates a 4 year tenure for all Sports Federations Boards following the expiration of the tenure of the National Olympic Sports Federations, the Minister of of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare has Dissolved the boards and constituted Caretaker Committees. The Minister who was represented by the Director of Federation, Elites Athletes Department Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Dr. Simon Ebhojaiye stated “Within the last 4 years, a few of the National Sports Federations Boards performed remarkably well, Having run a full Olympic cycle, the Boards of the NSFs inaugurated on 21 June, 2017 are hereby dissolved to pave way for fresh elections.” In order to ensure continuity in the administration of the Federations, Caretaker Committees are hereby put in place to manage the affairs of the Federations until elections are conducted and the new Boards inaugurated” Ebhojaiye further said “Mindful of the Olympic Games in July 2021, the Caretaker Committees will work assiduously towards enhancing team Nigeria participation at the Games. The Ministry in partnership with the NOC, will release in due course, the time-table for the elections into National Sports Federation Boards” He encouraged all Nigerians with passion and interest for Sports to contribute selflessly to the development of Sports in Nigeria by indicating interest in the Membership of the various National Sports Federations. The Caretaker Committees for the 31 National Sports Federations will run the affairs of the Federations until the inauguration of the new Boards. The Aquatic Federation of Nigeria Caretaker committee is headed by Babatunde Fatai William’s, Olumide George Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Eng. Musa Kida, Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Rtd General Joseph Ayeni, Nigeria Boxing Federation, DIG Sani Sani Mohammed Nigeria Chess Federation, Professor Yahaya Ukwanya Nigeria Cricket Federation, G Masari Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Abubakar Gaya Darts Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji U Nahuche Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation, Abubakar Dangaladima Fives Federation of Nigeria, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlolola Nigeria Golf Federation, Prince Kelvin Erhurnwunse, Gymnastic Federation of Nigeria. Others are Samuel Ochecho Handball Federation of Nigeria, Senator Andul Ningi, Nigeria Hockey Federation, Brig Gen. Z L Abubakar, Nigeria Judo Federation, Sila Agara, Karate Federation of Nigeria, Yakubu Abubakar Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria, Arc. Adewunmi Adekunle, Nigeria Wushu Kungfu Federation, Rtd Rear Admiral Porbeni Festus, Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing and Yatching Federation, Comrade Iyorchia Grace Nigeria Rugby Federation, Suleman Gora Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Maj. General Johnny Hamakim,Nigeria Shooting Federation, Oyerinde Adeboye, Nigeria Squash Federation, Chief Tikon Ishayaku, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Mrs Margaret Binga, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Akindoju Olaoye Nigeria Tennis Federation, Usman Musa Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, Musa Nimrod, Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Tonobok Okowa, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Daniel Igali, Nigeria Wrestling Federation.