Dalung makes case for grassroots sports development •Says it’s a shame we keep recycling stars News

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Dalung makes case for grassroots sports development •Says it’s a shame we keep recycling stars

By Augustine Kalu on April 9, 2017

Sports and Youth Development Minister, Hon. Solomon Dalung, has declared that grassroots sports development is the way forward for Nigerian sports against the norm of recycling Nigerian sports stars even after the stars have outlived their usefulness to the country.

Speaking recently in Lagos, Dalung said he does not want to be a party to those who continue to recycle Nigerian sports stars as doing so has left the country in a very precarious situation in the global sports community.

He explained that as far as he is concerned, the way forward is to embrace the grassroots sports development and discover talents across the country.

“I don’t want to hear about those you call sports stars any longer. All I want to hear is about new discoveries, new talents simple,” Dalung stressed.

“I am sick and tired of hearing about the so called stars. For you to get my immediate attention, all that I want to hear is the discovery of a new talent in athletics, boxing, gymnastics, weightlifting, swimming etc. so that if nurtured; in the next two to three years, will be able to compete among the best in the world. That is all that I care to hear for now. So, stop telling me about somebody who has been on the stage for almost 20 or more years.

That is not what I am interested in,” Dalung warned.

“We can only get to these type of sportsmen and women I am talking about if we go back to the grassroots through school sports, something like the Principal Cup of the old. When I talk of grassroots sports development, I am talking about events like The Academicals of old, Inter-House Sports Competitions, age group competitions etc.

“As a matter of fact, it is a big shame that in this country we keep recycling our sportsmen and women. Just imagine a situation where you keep hearing about one player for over two decades. Does that make sense? As far as I am concerned, it puts a serious question mark on us as a country. Does it mean that we are no longer giving birth to talented individuals? I mean it does not add up.

“It is on this basis that I don’t want to hear or watch all these European Leagues such as La Liga, English Premier League (EPL) Bundesliga, Seria A etc. I don’t want to hear about Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United.

“I want to hear and watch our local clubs such as Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars, Akwa United, Lobi Stars, Enyimba, and Nasarawa United, etc. What is my business with foreign league?” Dalung queried.

“So, if we do not change our perspective about our sports; we will continue to run in cycles. I believe that due to our penchant for recycling our sportsmen and women who have already outlived their usefulness that our sports is in this precarious situation and we must do something about it if we really desired to be relevant in the comity of sporting nations,” Dalung said.

•Photo shows Sports Minister Solomon Dalung.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 9, 2017