Senator Shehu Sani Sponsors Nat. Sport Support Fund Bill

By Our Correspondent

Kaduna State Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District,  Senator Shehu Sani yesterday disclosed to sport writers that he is sponsoring the National Sport Support Fund Bill at the National Assembly aimed at assisting ex-sport men and women who in various sports and at various times made the country proud.

The Senator who made the disclosure when he received on courtesy call leaders of the Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kaduna Chapter, expressed sadness that sport men and women who made the country proud and for one reason or the other are doing nothing now are left to suffer.

He said, it is in such light that he took it upon himself to sponsor the bill that if successful on the long run will assist such individuals in recognition of their contributions to the country.

The bill when it  becomes successful will serve as a pension scheme for ex-sport men and women who have done the country proud in time past, he stressed.

“I am working on a bill that will lead to the establishment of a fund to support sport men and women who made the country proud. It will be in the form of a pension scheme for ex-internations. 

“It is called the National Sport Support Fund  Bill. It will involve two things. It will encourage grass root sport and serve as an office to  support Nigeria players when their services are no longer needed and encourage young ones to go into sports.

“Sport is supposed to be  a founded institutions to champion the cause of unity and togetherness. Sport has been neglected and untapped institutions which can address social vices in the society.

“Each time Nigeria is playing a match you see the happiness on the minds of people devoid of religion,tribe or race .our sports men and women who have satisfied their youthfulness and bring honours have not been appreciated and their honour reciprocated.

“Many who played for super eagles today can hardly feed their families. Many people outside the country know Nigeria because of our sport but Sport misfortune in Nigeria self inflicted for refusing to provide enough funding for sport to thrive.

“In Ghana, I went to sport commission to ask for Edward Ansar and I was given his phone number and a guide to take me to his house. I met him and he his doing well but Nigeria players are neglected.

“Nigeria can win gold medals if sport men and women are given recognition and adequate funding. Grass root sport is gradually dieing. It is unfortunate that each time we go for Olympics we come back with bronze medals. We have many people who are good sport men and women that are not given the opportunity to grow. 

“Our young people have completely lost interest in local sports. People are more bordered about the English leagues. The decay and neglect in sport sector is a reflection of our failure. We must invest in sport to achieve results”.

Meanwhile, he assured SWAN Kaduna of his readiness to assist them in various ways possible, particularly in their quest for a bus and sponsorship of sport competitions.