By Godwin Bamigboye.

I am here replicating a  presentation *Titled Matters Arising and Roadmap for Sports Development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).* This presentation is another personal effort I am making to the progress and development of Sports in FCT within a period of not less than 35 years. 

I am motivated by the appointment of His Excellency, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON as Honourable Minister of Federal Capital Territory because of his antecedents of hard work and development which has earned him eulogies and nomenclature among which is *Mr. Projects.*
I have no doubt that with the arrival of His Excellency and assumption of duty, the FCT will witness tremendous growth and progress in all sectors particularly in *Sports.* 

In view of the afore going preamble and the need to summarize my sincere submission on Matters Arising and Roadmap for Sports Development in the Federal Capital Territory, I hereby make the following presentation:-

 *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. I made some effort in the past during my tenure as Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, FCT Chapter when we 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 it was indeed not allowed to function. 

As a follow up to ensuring that the FCT has a solid Administrative structure, some sports loving individuals championed the promotion of the Bill seeking for the establishment of the FCT Sports Commission. I was privileged to serve as Secretary and Member of the Committee. 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 participation for higher productivity.

 *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.

 *15. CONCLUSION* 

These few and important ideas can be developed or improved upon for the growth of Sports in FCT.
Can Mister Projects declare the Emergency that has become a necessity in the Federal Capital Territory?

I am Spectator. I keep watching, talking and waiting for the FCT Minister and indeed the Minister of State, whose office is saddled with the responsibility of Sports.