Senator Nwoko Advocates for Sustainable Sports Investment at 5Stars Premier League Finale
ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, has called for sustained investment in sports, emphasising its critical role in national development.
Speaking at the finale of the 5Stars Premier League 2024 in Abuja on Saturday, Senator Nwoko urged Nigerians to view sports not merely as recreation but as a serious professional pursuit, requiring consistent support from grassroots to national levels.
Addressing the challenges facing Nigerian sports, Senator Nwoko expressed concern over the country’s inconsistent approach to nurturing talent, particularly in preparation for major international competitions like the Olympics. “As a nation, we must make conscious efforts to invest in sports. Identifying talent is a challenge, but the bigger issue lies in nurturing, funding, and preparing our athletes. We cannot continue to wait until two months before major competitions to provide support. We will never do well with such last-minute planning. Other nations camp their athletes for years—how do we compete with such preparedness?” Nwoko remarked.
The Senator, a long-time advocate for sports development, stressed that the Senate Committee on Sports has taken a firm stance against such ad hoc measures, advocating for a consistent and sustainable funding model to support athletes. “We don’t have to wait until the eve of competitions to release funds. There must be long-term, continuous investment to ensure that athletes are adequately prepared,” he said.
Senator Nwoko also highlighted his personal commitment to sports development through his establishment of the Sports University of Nigeria (SUN). The institution, which offers over 27 sports disciplines alongside academic training, aims to foster holistic development in young athletes. “Sports have always been a part of my life, from my primary school days through to my university education in England. That is why I founded SUN, to nurture both athletes and scholars, ensuring they have something to fall back on after their sports careers.”
Praising the organisers of the 5Stars Premier League, Senator Nwoko lauded the platform for providing young talents the opportunity to showcase their abilities. “Initiatives like this are invaluable. They allow talent scouts and investors to discover and support promising athletes. I have backed this league from its inception because of its potential to unearth future stars,” he added.
The 6th season of the 5Stars Premier League culminated on Saturday, with Wireless FC of Abuja claiming the national title after defeating OjoduCity FC of Lagos. The league, which ran for 18 weeks across Abuja, Kwara, Kaduna, and Lagos, has become a breeding ground for young football talent, contributing to the nation’s sports development efforts.
Senator Nwoko’s call for structured and sustainable investment in sports aligns with his broader vision for creating opportunities for Nigerian youth, ensuring they are well-prepared for the global stage, both in sports and beyond.
