Abdullahi's sacking: NSC begins review of programmes

Top officials of the National Sports Commission have started a gradual review and scrutiny of some projects and programmes carried out by the erstwhile Minister of Sports Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi. While some of the sports ministry officials see the move as a routine check, some others see it as a subtle move by those who were out of favour during the reign of Abdullahi to find fault with some of his initiatives.

The PUNCH learnt from an NSC source that the new sports minister Tamuno Danagogo has asked the Director General of the NSC Mr. Gbenga Elegbeleye to head an ad hoc committee to re-evaluate the work done. It is understood the minister asked for the investigation following remarks made by one of the directors in the ministry.

One of the programmes to be investigated is the High Performance Project which Abdullahi had embarked on before he was removed from office last week by President Goodluck Jonathan. Under Abdullahi, the sports ministry had engaged Angie Taylor as the High Performance Director for all the sporting events in the country. Athletics was specially treated with Eric Campbell recruited to serve as the director for the sport.

An NSC official, who did not want to be quoted, said that even though the investigation looks like a regular check, it was mainly proposed by those who worked as opposition members.

He said, “It is obvious the directors employed for the high performance work are worried even though they are under proper contract. They have heard too many stories about coaches and contracts around here. Modern sport is a combination of talent and pure science and that was why Abdullahi had to push for a scientific approach to our participation in sporting events.

“We cannot continue to attend events like the Olympics and under perform. But some people are always old fashioned and this kind of people did not see it as worth the trouble. They were nonchalant about the whole idea and now they are pushing to make it not work. I just hope that the witchhunt will not be too harsh.”

Abdullahi, who said athletics was the bedrock of sports, had completed an elite hostel for athletes in Abuja before he was removed.