A Bill for an Act to provide for the administration and management of sports in Nigeria passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The bill canvasses the establishment of sports institutions and facilities, harnessing sports for development, and encouragement and promotion of drug-free reaction in the country.
The sponsor of the bill, Abubakar Amuda-Kannike, had in a lead debate explained that its passage would strengthen the National Sports Commission.
According to him, the passage will change the face of sports in the country and attract foreign investment.
Amuda-Kannike said that the bill also sought to establish the National Sports Commission Board to manage and superintend over the affairs of the commission.
Amuda-Kannike said: “It will deal with the appointment of the Director-General of the Sports Commission and other staff.
“It proposes to establish the Nigeria Sports Development Fund for the obvious reason of encouraging other non-governmental means of funding sports in the country.
“It deals with the arbitration of sports and thus, sports disputes tribunal.”
In his contribution, Rep Ogbee Lazarus explained that the Bill would help in setting standards and trust fund for sponsorship of athletes to competitions and trainings.
On his part, Jide Jimoh said that the Bill tried to harness the opportunities in sports, and that when passed, would encourage diversification which the country had been yearning for.
He called for support to the Bill.
Edwin Pwajok said that the Bill would encourage the elite in the country to invest in sports, adding that some persons may buy football clubs as Aliko Dangote reportedly bided for Arsenal FC of England recently.
The Bill was, however, opposed by the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, who said “National Sports Commission should rather be strengthened instead of creating another institution because it will amount to duplication of function”.
The Bill was passed through a voice vote put by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.
It was therefore referred to the Committee on Sports Commission for further legislative input.
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