By Obaseki Anthony on December 7, 2019

Heavyweights from various parts of Nigeria recently stormed Nnewi, Anambra State, for the Thanos’ Sports Colloquium. The event, held at the Martina Plaza on November 30, 2019, was tagged “A Model For Sports Development in Nigeria”.

The colloquium featured Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah (President of FC Ifeanyi Ubah) as Chairman of the occasion; Hon Barr Solomon Dalung (immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development) as the Keynote Speaker; Her Excellency, Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu (former Ambassador of Nigeria to Spain) as Special Guest Speaker; and Coach Maureen Mmadu (FIFA Hall of Fame Holder). Also at the event were members of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA); the Iyom Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu Media (IBOM); Mr Onyebuchi Nwabufo (a banker); Sir Dr John Ugochukwu; Lady Dr Ego Ugochukwu (former Director, Pharmaceutical Services of Anambra State); and Coach Fanny Amun (Former Golden Eaglets Manager and Sports Consultant) as Special Guests.

Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah presented a paper on the “Role of Government Policies in Sports Development”. He said that government political could change the narrative in sports if sports policies are geared towards achieving a rightful direction. Ubah insisted that the legislature is focused on making laws that will make sports self-funding instead of total reliance on the Federal and State governments. Ebubechukwu Uzo, as he is fondly called, also stressed that fund leakages through acclaimed stakeholders will further discourage investors if public officials are not held accountable

Hon Barr Dalung spoke on “Causes, Effects and Remedies of Corruption in Nigeria Sports”.

The immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development said that corruption in sports has been treated with strict measure at the IOC, FIFA and CAF levels, with references to incidence against Papa Diack of IAAF and Joseph Blatter of FIFA who were punished for corruption charges.

He observed that the reverse is the case for worst cases established against the present executive board of the NFF. Dalung said that though a convincing case of corruption has been alleged against the NFF hierarchy, it has used evasive tactics to circumvent the law instead of the members making themselves available to face the law.

Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu presented a paper on “Sports and Foreign Investments in Nigeria”. She pointed out that it is the duty of government and public office holders to attract and convince attract foreign investors that Nigeria has an enabling environment to accommodate for their projects and investments in the country.

Highlights of the colloquium included the cutting of the event cake and award presentation.

The awards and awardees are:

Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah was conferred with the title of IDE EGWUREGWU.

Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu was conferred with the title UGO EJI EJE MBA EGWUREGWU.

Hon Barr Solomon Dalung was conferred with the title of DIKE EGWUREGWU.

Coach Maureen Mmadu was conferred with the title of IJELE ANAMBRA.

Sir Dr John Ugochukwu was conferred with the title EZIAFAKAEGO.

Thanos’ Sports Colloquium is a yearly sports event which holds to discuss, analyse and handle issues bedevilling sports in Nigeria, as well as celebrating those who have contributed positively towards the development of sports. It is the brainchild of Nnewi-born and based Ugochukwu ‘Thanos’ Ifeanyi, who is the first African to make a live appearance on the English Premier League programme Fanzone in London.

•PHOTO: Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu presenting her address as Special Guest Speaker at the 2019 Thanos’ Sports Colloquium in Nnewi

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 7, 2019

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