By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has said that sports is a big time business with many entrepreneurial opportunities to explore, which colleges and universities must update their curriculums that will be a challenge to academic members of Nigerian Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation,Sports and D,ance (NAPHER.SD).
He stated this at the”50th” Golden edition ceremony of Nigerian Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation,Sports and D,ance (NAPHER.SD). National Conference and Workshop held at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
Represented by Prof. Olawale A. Moronkola, Director General, National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, he said by doing this, government on its part, will continue to provide the enabling environment.
Mr. Dare said that recently, the Presidential Committee report on Football 10-year development plan has been submitted from 2022 – 2032 Volume Two.
According to the minister, the issues of professionalism, commercialization, funding and football are business run through many of the pages of the report.
He said, Nigerians especially the youth should focus on areas of selling/marketing products and services.
“Also, the ministry has developed a draft National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) liaising with Nigerian Economic Summit Group,” he explained.
He said a complete draft copy is with the Ministry of Justice for vetting and also facilitated with the Federal Executive Council approval that re-classfied sports from recreation to business.
In his message, the Vice Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala said that Physical Health Education is one of the disciplines with numerous jobs opportunities such as teaching, sports, coaching, sports management, exercise science and lots more.
Bala who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof Umeh said Health Education is available in schools, companies, healthcare setting and community organisation.
He said, at the school, PHE should be a stand alone subject or core subject and it is important in the attainment of optimal content delivery of children at the basic education level through the institutions of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
According to him, PHE is playing key role in the attainment of the optimum psychosocial well-being of children and it leads to positive change in behavior, disease prevention and production of seasoned elite athletes for the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of NAPHER.SD, Prof. Rafiu O. Okuneye appreciated JAMB for introducing PHE in its examination.
He described the conduct of PHE as one of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) subjects as a remarkable advancement for the association.
Prof.Okuneye said that as it stands, necessary recognition and respect is accorded the association by relevant corporate bodies and they have been receiving support. support has been projecting the Association positively much more than before.
The National Conference and the 50th anniversary was organized in collaboration with Kaduna State Branch of NAPHER.SD.
