Sports Minister Says Nigeria Can Host 2030 Commonwealth Games
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, said Nigeria has the capacity to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, with improvement on its facilities across the nation.
The minister stated this Abuja while addressing newsmen on the performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded 13th African Games in Ghana. Enoh decried the fact that no African country has hosted the Commonwealth Games since inception.
According to him, it remains a black spot on African countries not to have hosted the Games in spite being a member since its inception.
“While in Ghana during the 2023 All African Games, I appealed for African countries particularly Nigeria to submit bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games,” Enoh said.
“I saw it as a black spot on Africa for not being able to host the Games since its inception in 1930. And of course we have the facilities to host such big tournament like the Commonwealth Games.”
“All we need to do is to start preparations early, revive some of the facilities, build some and improve the state of others across the country.”
Though, I don’t think I am going to be in office as the Minister of Sports at that time but it’s what we can start now and achieve if there’s continuity after leaving the office,” he added.
The minister also commended Team Nigeria’s gallant performance at the the 13th African Games in Ghana, where Nigeria emerged second behind Egypt. Nigeria finished with 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
However, the Sports Minister stressed that preparations for the 14th African Games slated for Egypt in 2027, must start now if Nigeria is to displace the likes of Egypt on the continent.
He assured that all hands will be on deck, working with the high performance centre and other stakeholders to ensure early preparations for Nigeria.
NAN/Chidi Nwoke.
