AU member-states approve Nigeria as host country for Sports Council Secretariat

\African Union member-states on Tuesday approved Nigeria as host country to the Africa Union Sports Council Region 2 Secretariat.
The Head of Sports, AU Commission, Machacha Shepande, said this at the end of the AUSC Region 2 Strategic Planning Workshop in Abuja.
Shepande said: “It is with humility that we thank the Nigerian minister of sports for the commitment he has shown to host the AUSC Region 2 Secretariat.
“Since we have not received any other offer requesting to host the secretariat, Nigeria is hereby recognised as the host the AUSC Region 2 Secretariat.
“A decision such as this one is invaluable to make the operational of Region 2 a reality.”
Shepande said the workshop had produced a new vision for Region 2, which would be an engine-room for sports excellence, recreation and development.
He said the mission statement was to see a regional sports organisation that promoted excellence, provided structured and safe environment for sports for developmental services.
Shepande said that the creation of the Region AUSC Region 2 would provide many tangible benefits.
He said: “We are here to prepare, plan and hope that opportunities will present themselves so that we can see a region that is performing and ultimately successful in all its required functional areas.
“We need to push good values of sport in our organisation.
“We need to introduce change that is founded on good principles and culture.”
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, thanked member-states for the confidence reposed on Nigeria to host the regional headquarters of AUSC.
Dalung said the decision for AUSC secretariat to be domiciled in Nigeria was a great honour, for which Nigeria would be eternally grateful.
The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chinyeaka Ohaa, said Nigeria would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the AUSC Region 2 headquarters was adequately assisted for smooth take off.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 13 countries participated in the workshop, including Sierra Leone, Mali, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia and Togo.
Others were Senegal, Guinea, Cote d Ivoire, Benin, Niger, Botswana and Nigeria.
NAN.