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By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria’s only female Olympic gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa has advised minister of youth and sports development, Sunday Dare not to be distracted as he aims to revamp Nigeria sports through various programmes and action plans, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Mrs Ajunwa who gave the advice in an interview stated that going by the ways, body language and actions the minister has taken since he assumed office on August 21, 2019, there are every indication that Nigeria sports is on the path for restructuring and development.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police who commended the minister for laudable programmes and actions such as the refund of the $130, 000 to IAAF, the visit of IOC President to Nigeria, the involvement of private sector in the running of sports in Nigeria and other giants steps so far taken by the minister, however urged him not to be distracted by those around him who do not have the interest of Nigeria sports at heart.

She noted that though three months is so short a period to assess someone in an office even though no one know how long he will be in office but stressed that like that a fowl that will grow to become a cock is detected while hatchling.

“That said, this is the only man I have seeing as a minister of sports that is really showing everybody that he knows what he has come to do. I am not trying to exaggerate things. The journalists have been reporting his activities every day.

“Just last week, he held a two-day Inter-ministerial Technical Session on sports industry development with the theme: ‘Positioning Sports as an Industry from Concept to Action’ in Abuja to make sure that sports become a big business in Nigeria. That was the first time a programme of such is being held in Nigeria at least since we got independence. It is the first of its kind. This is what other countries abroad have been doing which Nigeria never emulated. This time around, he has told us that he has been outside the country and is a veteran journalist who knows how it is being done outside there.    

“If people around him do not distract him, if our people who want to eat but do not want to work do not distract him, I believe the minister is going to do so much well. Going to pay the IAAF money that he has no knowledge about is another good example that the man is doing very well. I thank the president that brought him because I know he is not going to disappoint us.

“My prayers to him is that he should not listen to distractors, we have so many people that distract others who have come to work. Let him be focused, that is my prayer for him,” she advised.

Mr Sunday Dare, a seasoned journalist, assumed office as the Minister of Youth and Sports Development on August 21, 2019.