Sports Minister Visits Shooting Sports Range For Improvement

Sports Minister Visits Shooting Sports Range For Improvement

By Niyi Busari

President of the Nigerian Shooting Sports Federation, Brigadier-General Lonsdale Adeoye(Rtd) has, on behalf of the NSSF, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare for undertaking a routine visit to the Nigerian National Shooting Range for an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at the range, with the view to improving them.

The elated NSSF President who was part of the Minister's entourage to the facilities stated that Mr. Sunday Dare was the first Sports Minister in Nigeria to visit the Shooting Sports Range since its existence.

"This is the first time, ever, that a Minister would step to the shooting range."

He said the visit of the Minister encouraged the NSSF family and gave them a sense of belonging in a special way.

"The whole members of the NSSF are so elated and encouraged by this rare gesture of the Minister and his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tanimu Aduda.

"Before now, we had been seen as outcasts or orphans in some quarters, but it now appears that we are so much loved.

"We are so encouraged by his visit to us and this shows the dynamic zeal that shooting sports has been lacking for more than forty-two years of its existence, and I am sure the International Shooting Sports Federation will be happy with this development", General Adeoye stated.

The NSSF President applauded the foresight of the Minister who promised to, among other things, "upgrade the shooting sports range to an electronic target range and to make it comfortable to provide enough lights and target changers that can make it possible for the NSSF to train at the level of Olympic standard."

General Adeoye assured the Minister that the NSSF would raise the stake and improve on their medal hopes in all international championships.

While acknowledging the dynamism and vision of the Minister, the Sports Ministry as well as wisdom of the Nigerian Olympic Committee President, Engr. Habu Gumel, the Shooting Sports President stressed that the Federation has over two hundred shooters across the country who are waiting for the opportunity to showcase their talents at both national and international championships.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, together with the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tanimu Aduda, on Saturday, 20th June, 2020, had paid an unscheduled visit to facilities and offices of Sports Federations situated within the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, to assess the facilities and seek for ways to improve them.