The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, led a joint team of the Executive Committee, the Executive Board chairmen of the Sports Federation Chairmen to meet with the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh to rub minds on ways to the upcoming Multi Games. Involving Nigeria next year.

The meeting was held on October 24 at the Main Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
 
The Games comprise the Winter Youth Games scheduled for Guam, South Korea, January 9 to February 1, 2024, the 13th African Games, March 8 to March 23, 2024, in Accra Ghana.

‘’And by far the biggest, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to be staged in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11, 2024,’’ noted Gumel.
 
``Right now the qualification of the for individual and team sports the Paris Games are going on. As far as the Olympic Games are concerned. a critical  take off is qualification tournaments.
 
The Member International Olympic Committee (IOC), notes that any single qualification to the Games. 

‘’That being the case, the failure of any federation of or team athlete to feature in one or more qualification tournaments lined up by the international federation, ahead of the Games simply means automatic disqualification from attending the Games.
 
To underscore the qualification as a key component, Gumel said that to date only eight athletes have so far qualified, the eight comprised three athletes from athletics, three from boxing and one each from wrestling and cycling,
 
``We are still hopeful that the women basketball team and women soccer teams would qualify for the Paris Games.
 
``We are using every opportunity provided by this joint meeting to solicit the Minister’s good will and intervention to ensure that the medal hopefuls in key sports are able to participate in their programmed Olympic qualifying events,’’ said Gumel.
 
Ahead of the Games, the NOC emphasized the importance of government support and funding for sports programmes, infrastructure, and athlete development.

He highlighted the need for increased investments in sports facilities, training centres, and coaching programs to cultivate and nurture young talent.
 
According to Gumel, the NOC as a worthy co-partner in National sports development has not been folding its hands to watch the FG carry the burden of funding sports alone.

‘’In our own little way, we are equally passionately committed to the delivery of values to our stakeholders, especially in area of capacity building to support National Federation administrative and technical structures.

The meeting also addressed issues such as doping control, sports legislation, and international collaborations. Both the NOC and the minister expressed their commitment to ensure fair play and integrity in sports by strengthening anti-doping measures and implementing strict regulations.

All the parties are encouraged to collaborate and cooperate, particularly, the ministry and the NOC to achieve the shared objective of sports development and excellence.

Overall, the joint meeting between the NOC and the minister of sports was productive and constructive, with both parties demonstrating their dedication to fostering a thriving sports ecosystem in the country. 

Furthermore, the executive board presented their plans for hosting international sporting events and bidding for major tournaments. 

They stressed the potential economic and social benefits of hosting such events, including increased tourism, job creation, and national pride.

The minister of sports, John Enoh, praised the efforts of the NOC in promoting sports and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting their initiatives. 

Even though the minister felt a little upset about recurring issues of getting Government funding and refunds of amounts sourced with approval of the ministry to support qualifying tournaments, the matter needed to be addressed. 
 
He later admitted that there would the need to face the issue, stressing that fresh ideas would also be needed to get the private sector to move sports from mere recreation to sports industry policy.

This will be in line with a position canvassed by the previous administration and approved as a way forward by President Bola Tinubu's administration. 

It was agreed there would be a need to meet again for a sustainable strategy to overcome obstacles for more podium results. 

All that we desire now is to break the 1996 Olympic results for a more impressive outcome appears to be another common desire of all parties.