2nd Anniversary: Sports enthusiasts list Tinubu’s achievements, shortcomings
Some sports enthusiasts on Friday said President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office brought changes in sports development, though much still remains to be done.
They told newsmen in separate interviews that the government has made some efforts, and with time, the expected results may emerge.
They added that the administration must recognise the importance of investing substantial funds in sport to support youth development nationwide.
Dehinde Ogunbiyi, a member of the Lagos State Basketball Association, said renaming the Ministry of Sports to the National Sports Commission (NSC) was a positive move.
He described the change as a step toward a more autonomous and targeted approach to developing sport in the country.
He explained that the NSC is now expected to handle decision-making, policies, funding, and development without being tied to broader ministerial duties.
“However, more still needs to be done, especially regarding funding and providing autonomy to attract sponsorships for leagues and championships to flourish,” he said.
Ogunbiyi noted that football and basketball leagues remain largely under government control, limiting their growth and independence.
He further stated that the government is too involved in developing sport from grassroots to elite level, which should be driven by private investment.
A former international, Harrison Jalla, gave the Tinubu administration a fair rating for its input in sports over the past two years.
He assessed the administration from three perspectives: appointments, funding, and overall performance in sports development.
Jalla criticised the appointment of Sen. John Enoh as Minister of Sports but acknowledged the corrective step of creating the NSC.
He commended the appointments of Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade as Chairman and Director General of the NSC, respectively.
“On funding, President Tinubu performed excellently. He is the best in terms of funding, especially for the 2024 Olympic Games in France,” he said.
Jalla added that funding for the Nations Cup in Côte d’Ivoire also reflected strong commitment from the President.
“However, in terms of performance, athletes, national teams, and administrators have not done enough to justify this support,” Jalla said.
He cited the loss at the Nations Cup, poor Olympic performance, and struggles with 2026 World Cup qualification as examples.
Jalla urged the president to immediately inaugurate the National Sports Commission Board to give legal backing to its operations.
“This aligns with the National Sports Commission Establishment Act 2023 and is urgently required,” he added.
A sports writer, Raymond Nwabuda, also praised Tinubu’s contributions, though he noted that improvements are still possible.
He called the return of the NSC a strategic move, the benefits of which will become more evident in coming years.
Nwabuda added that funding has significantly improved, and the president is clearly committed to running sport as a business.
