Buhari releases N2.9b for Sports, insists on accountability

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut has warned that any coach who fails in the forthcoming All Africa Games in Congo will be sanctioned.

President Muhammadu Buhari chairs the meeting of the Peace
and Security Council at the 25th AU Summit
 in Johannesburg on Saturday

The Director General said the President’s approval came with a clause that a full audit report of the financial details must be given after the 2015 Games.  He then urged the Presidents of the various federations to be prudent and ensure that all spending has to be properly accounted for in line with the anti-corruption policy.

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Speaking Wednesday after announcing the release of N2.9b for Nigeria’s participation in the All African Games, in Congo and preparations for the Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympics by the Federal Government, Yakmut warned that for sports federations to justify the huge amount being spent by government, such efforts must be backed by results.

He warned that coaches for the various teams must be recruited on merit, adding, “any coach who fails to carry the flag of Nigeria properly in Brazzaville will face sanctions”.

Mallam Yakmut made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja when he met with members of the Ministerial Technical Committee on the All African Games and Presidents of National Sports Federations participating at the 2015 All Africa Games.

Mrs. Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, Director, Federations of Elite Athletes Department, while giving updates on preparations for the Games, stated that out of 23 sports to be competed in Brazzaville, Nigeria will feature in 20 sports, adding that the Commission envisaged that President Muhammad Buhari will send forth the contingents to Brazzaville.

She further disclosed that arrangements were in place to ensure flawless passage of contingents who are to depart Nigeria on 29th of August, 2015 for Congo Brazzaville.

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Speaking on behalf of Federations Presidents, Tijjani Umar, expressed appreciation on the openness of the Director General and disclosed that “there is better interaction and interface between the Sports Commission and the Federations now than in the past.