The FCT Minister, His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  CON has been commissioning projects as part of activities marking the first year in office of the Federal Government.

I had earlier commended the massive infrastructural development being embarked upon by the current leadership of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). I also reminded the FCT Minister on the need for him to give attention to the development of Sports infrastructure. I will mention as I have said previously that I am aware that there is a plan towards sports infrastructure development. However, concerned stakeholders are in a hurry to see sports infrastructure development among the priority projects of FCTA. 

This unrelenting desire to see the realization of Sports infrastructure in FCT has become a driving force that has prompted this reminder to Mr. Projects. I mean the FCT Minister, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Let me refresh your memory with my earlier submission on the Roadmap for Sports Development in FCT.

"*MATTERS ARISING AND ROADMAP FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT).* 

 *1. FCT SPORTS STRUCTURE.* 

The Federal Capital Territory Sports Structure has been reduced from Sports Council in its inception in 1989 to its current structure as Department. This has weakened and dwindled the operational capacity of Sports Administration in FCT. Therefore was an effort in the past to revert the name and structure of Sports in FCT when the FCT Football Coaches Association leadership visited then Honourable Minister of State, FCT, Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide. The visit facilitated a number of Ministerial decisions and directives which included establishment of a Committee on the review of the Nomenclature of FCT Sports Structure and Development. The Committee has not been officially dissolved and the purpose for setting up the Committee has not been achieved. 

As a follow up to ensuring that the FCT has a solid Administrative structure, some sports loving individuals sometimes ago championed the promotion of the Bill seeking for the establishment of the FCT Sports Commission. The FCT Sports Commission Bill was promptly accepted and sponsored by the immediate past Senator of the FCT, Distinguished Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, MFR. The Bill passed Second reading in the 9th National Assembly and was at the Committee stage of the Senate. I believe that with further intervention, the 10th National Assembly will pass the Bill into Law. I believe that the Distinguished Senator Ireti Kingibe will continue the good work that has started.  

 *2. SPORTS FACILITIES IN FCT* .

It would be an erroneous impression that the Federal Capital Territory has Sports facilities. I say so because the MKO Abiola National Stadium is our National Sports monument. Sports facilities that are directly owned, managed and controlled by the FCTA are really not *BEFITTING* the Federal Capital Territory. In summary, let's take an assessment of what FCT has as its Sports facilities:

a. The FCT Sports Centre at Area 10 popularly called Old Parade Ground.

b. The uncompleted Area Three Sports Centre with only one overused football pitch which serves as the main hub of football activities in FCT.

c. Six uncompleted and abandoned Stadia spread across the Six Area Councils in FCT. One stadium per Area Council.

There is therefore the need to declare an *EMERGENCY* in the provision of Sports facilities in FCT.

 *3. PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND EARMARKED FOR SPORTS IN FCT* 

There is the need to identify and protect all lands earmarked for Sports in FCT especially in Districts that are undergoing development. There is also the need to make deliberate effort in the development of Sports facilities on these lands.

 *4. SCHOOL SPORTS* 

School Sports has not received deserved attention for sometimes. However, the Federal Capital Territory made tremendous progress at the World stage this year when a private School, FOSLA Academy, Karshi, Abuja that won the revived Nigeria's Principal Cup represented Nigeria at the World School Football Championship in Rabat Morocco in July, 2023. The School has also qualified to represent Nigeria at the 2024 edition of the championship in China.
Most public Schools in FCT have no standard sports facilities.

 *5. FCT SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND.* 

It is desirable to have an FCT Sports Development Fund as a deliberate effort towards having a reservoir of Fund for Sports Development in FCT.

 *6. FCT SPORTS VILLAGE* 

The FCT Sports Village is desirable to serve as a Camping Facility and competition venue for domestic and international sports and other events.

 *7. SPORTS AND TOURISM* 

The place of FCT as the capital of Nigeria makes it a convenient rendezvous for Sports Tourism. Nigeria has not leveraged on the capacity of Sports as a potent instrument for tourism, social mobilization, youth empowerment and economic growth. We have only scratched the surface of these opportunities.

 *8. REVIVAL OF FCT INTER AREA COUNCILS GAMES.* 

The FCT Inter Area Councils Sports Festival needs to be revived. 

 *9. FCT MINISTER'S CUP COMPETITION.* 

The FCT Minister's Cup Football Competition among the Six Area Councils needs to be revived also. This particular Football Competition has contributed immensely to the discovery, empowerment and development of a number of youths in FCT.

 *10. FCT JOGGING EXERCISE.* 

The FCT Monthly Jogging exercise needs to be revived so as to encourage healthy living and physical fitness of residents of FCT, particularly employees of FCTA.

 *11. THE NIGERIA SPORTS INDUSTRY BILL AND FCT.* 

The FCT needs to study the Sports Industry Bill and evolve ways of tapping available opportunities for sports development in FCT.

 *12. PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS IN FCT.* 

There is the need to determine the participation of the Private Sector in Sports in FCT and also provide further enabling environment for greater private sector participation for higher productivity sports.

 *13. FURTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS AND SPORTS FEDERATIONS* 

The position of the FCT as host of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and the Sports Federations call for improved partnerships and collaborations with the purpose of deriving available benefits.

 *14. SPORTS AS INSTRUMENT FOR SOCIAL MOBILIZATION PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT* 

This function of Sports has not been adequately utilized even at the National level. There is therefore the need to adequately utilize sports to achieve social benefits to society particularly in FCT and by extension to Nigeria.

 *15. CONCLUSION* 

These few and important ideas can be developed or improved upon for the growth of Sports in FCT.
These plans are achievable if *Mister Projects*, His Excellency, Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON declares the Emergency in Sports that has obviously become a necessity in the Federal Capital Territory?"

This is a reminder to the FCT Minister. 
I am the Spectator.