Enoh Attributes Neglect Of Grassroots Sports Dev't To Misplaced Priorities
By Victor UDU
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has attributed the neglect of grassroots sports development to the nation's obsession with other goals of the sports industry.
Enoh who was speaking in Calabar, the Cross River Capital at the grand finale of the inaugural John Owan Enoh, (JOE) Tennis Tournament noted that the focus was a misplaced priority, counter productive and detrimental to the development of grassroots sports.
"We have been too concerned with competitions, concerned with going to South African games, going for the Olympics, going for the Commonwealth games and how many medals we have to win or not, we have forgotten and neglected the aspect of sports development that helps us to compete at such levels," Enoh stated.
He said his goal to promote grassroots sports development is a prime focus aimed at returning the country to that point.
The Nation's sports boss recalled days when annual school sports festival helped sports flourish and regretted that such events have been forgotten for many years and promised to work for the return of the festival by 2024.
According to the Minister, a festival with such enomous impact and benefits should not be forgotten because many sports men and women today are products of the school sports competitions.
Enoh disclosed his Ministry's Interest in the collaboration with sports clubs and pointed out that the Calabar sports club is a platform that would be used effectively to realize that vision.
Proposing a sports carnival in Calabar to showcase the merits of sports, Enoh stated that his Ministry will create opportunity and support for young talented Cross Riverians with the zeal to make it in sports to excel in their chosen field even to the peak of their careers.
The Minister said the Ministry was promoting sports as a business and acknowledged the youthful population of Cross River as an added advantage suitable for the realization of that dream.
He reiterated his Ministry's intention to set aside one day as a national sports and fitness day come 2024 and expressed the hope that it scales through the Federal Executive Council so that sports can be celebrated at least one day annually.
The nine-day tournament ended with winners emerging at various categories.
In the under 16 category, Damilola Agumbiade and Covenant secured first runner up position while Charles Olom Odok claimed first price in the pro cadre and Mfon Obot clinched second place.
Also Effa Obong emerged winner in the Men's single category by defeating Odey Igrinya to take top position.
In the men's double the duo of Manyo Ogar and Ahmed Umar secured first position while Effa Obong and Damilola Agumbiade secured the second place.
