Sports Minister Acknowledges Benefits Of Scouting
By Victor UDU.
The Minister of Sports Development,Senator John Owan Enoh has acknowledged the critical role of scouting in harnessing Sports potentials across the country.
Enoh stated that Nigeria's rich talent pool makes the country a destination of choice for Scouts from around the world.
The Sports Minister who was speaking during a meeting with the National President of Prestige Football Academy, Uchendu Stephen Nwabara in his office in Abuja, yesterday expressed commitment to review the proposal from the Academy which is aimed at regulating the scouting system within Nigeria's landscape.
The Nation's Sports boss admitted that scouting forms the bedrock of identifying and nurturing future sports stars and called for recognition of the value of an organized scouting system that fosters fairness, transparency and professionalism .
He called for an end to the exploitation of Nigerians,Who are taken out of the country by scouts, agents and tied to slave contracts abroad assuring that Nigeria will work to facilitate a process that integrates fair play, integrity, professionalism and equal opportunities for all sports talents, especially footballers.
He expressed concerns over the general practices in the Sports ecosystem so as to address unethical standards and provide equitable opportunities for aspiring young talents to excel in their chosen careers in sports.
"Most people in the sector are concerned about the subject of scouting for our young men and women. When our sports men and women go outside the shores of Nigeria and breakforth, the support they send to their families and the laurels they win are of benefits to the country", the minister said.
The Minister however observed that the manner in which some of our sports men and women leave need to be addressed and that regrettably Nigeria with it's population and talent, has become like a laboratory for various actors to come in and out".
Senator Enoh assured that the Tinubu led administration is committed to fostering a conducive environment for the growth of sports in Nigeria.
While responding, the leader of the team, Uchendu Stephen Nwabara expressed delight over the Minister's readiness to examine their recommendations and noted that these reforms are pivotal in transforming the scouting landscape and ensuring that deserving talents receive the attention and opportunities they merit.
