*Holds two-day policy dialogue
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
In its bid at diversifying the economy and empowering youth, the Kaduna State Government is making efforts to get a chunk out of the $512.14 billion global sports market for the year 2023.
This came to the fore at the opening ceremony of the Kaduna State Sports Industry Policy Dialogue, with a theme, “The SocioEconomic Impact Of A Robust Sports Industry Policy On The Development Of People And Nation” held at the Stonehedge Hotel, Kaduna on Thursday February 9, 2023.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner, Ministry of Sports Development Kaduna State, Hon. Idris Samaila Nyam, said that the state has what it takes to be the sports hub of the country.
“Ladies and gentlemen, having heard the investment of the Kaduna State Government to develop its Sports industry, you would agree with me that we have what it takes to be the sports hub of the country.Permit me to ask you a simple question that I believe would guide our thoughts and opinions as we deliberate on the items that would make up the policy document for sports development in Kaduna State.
“Did you know that the Global Sports Market grew from $486.61 billion in 2022 to $512.14 billion in 2023 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.2%?
“According to the Business Research Company, the sports market is expected to grow to $623.63 billion in 2027 at a compound annual growth of 5.0%.
“The key components of global sports – Participatory Sports is projected to gain $136.7 billion of global annual sales by 2025 while Spectator Sports will gain $55.1 billion of global annual sales by the same year,” he said.
According to him, besides its immense social benefits, the consumption of sports delivers billions of dollars in revenue globally, greatly impacting economies.
“It is no wonder why developed countries continue to invest in and tap into the potent power of Sports to deliver both social and economic value.
“Having recognised the social and economic values in sports, the Federal Government began driving the Industrialisation of Sports – that is, a change in the perception of private and public sector towards Sports, with policies and directives to create an enabling environment for the business of Sports to thrive.
“As a result, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the categorisation of Sports as a business economy in 2020 while the Federal Executive Council approved the National Sports Industry Policy in 2022.
“The Policy, which is aimed at revamping the sports sector as a government-led and private sector driven industry under the 3I’s and 1P strategy (Incentives, Investment, Infrastructure, and Policy), recognises the need for business-focused strategies at subnational levels to leverage the potentials and opportunities from the sports industrialisation agenda.
“I am happy to inform you that Kaduna is the first State to localise the Policy with the goal to encourage the investment and participation of the private sector towards the successful development of a thriving Sports industry,” he said.
The commissioner said that Kaduna State sees sports not just as leisurely activity or an amateur engagement but as a business! And our sports infrastructure vividly represents the commitment of the Kaduna State Government to provide an enabling environment to equip athletes for the international stage.
He stressed that Kaduna State stands out as a pacesetter in driving economic growth and development through its various strategic initiatives and long-term plan including the 2021-2025 Kaduna State Development Plan, Infrastructure Master Plan, and Industrial Plan.
“Listed as one of the best states to do business by the World Bank, Kaduna State’s investment drives and reforms have attracted actual investments and pledges worth over $4.3 billion in the last six years.
“Because the cross-sectorial attributes of sports ensures that investment in it cascade to other key areas in the State’s development plan like Education, Health, Infrastructure, Security, Urban Development, etc, we are confident that Sports is a strategic piece for Kaduna State in its industrialisation agenda.
“Beyond participatory sport which focuses on athlete development, there is a much bigger sport industry which focuses on providing a core foundation for sustainable sports development and the goal of Kaduna State is to excel across the industry value chain!” He assured.
Honourable Nyam said that It gives him great pleasure to welcome all to the Kaduna State Sports Industry Development Policy Dialogue, themed, ‘The Socio-Economic Impact of a Robust Sports Industry Policy on the Development of a People and Nation.’
“Let me specially appreciate everyone who flew in from different parts of the country to be a part of this event which is a first of its kind around Sports in Kaduna.
“The aim of this Summit is to get the input of key stakeholders in Sports for a Policy document that we hope would make Kaduna the most viable State for sports in Nigeria with full citizen participation and industry attractiveness for investment.
“I recall that in the 70s and early 80s, Kaduna State was the sports hub of not just the north but the entire country as it was home to talented sports men and women in both field and track events. As a matter of fact, Kaduna State has produced many successful athletes who have put the name of Nigeria on the global map.
“In the area of Football, we have legends like Celestine Babayaro, Rashidi Yekini, Garba Lawal, Tijjani Babangida, and young players like Sadiq Umar, among others.
“Under Weightlifting, Maryam Usman, four-time African Champion and gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games and Olympian bronze medalist is an athlete to brag about.
“Scott Nnaji, Ujiri Masai, and Mohammed Tijjani are notable names in Basketball. This is to mention but a few of the several people who have emanated from Kaduna State and made impact in the world of Sports.
“To restore the state’s former glory and encourage young people to take up Sports professionally, the Kaduna State Government has begun investing in sports infrastructure that would ensure an enabling environment for local talents to flourish and sports to thrive.
“As a result, we have renovated and remodeled many sporting facilities including the impressive Murtala Mohammed Square to international standard. And I can boldly tell you that it would be one of the largest sporting facilities in the country by the time it becomes fully operational.
“In line with our Sports Policy, efforts to remodel the Kaduna Township Stadium, Zaria and Kafanchan stadiums are underway. Already, we have neighbourhood sport centres with various game pitches that are common to each Local Government Areas. We also boast of a mini stadium in Kafanchan.
“Lest I forget, a major achievement of this administration is that we recently took over the management of Ahmadu Bello Stadium from the Federal Government.
“Another interesting thing to note is that the Kaduna State Government is planning to set up two Sports Academies in the northern and southern senatorial zones to hone the skills, and build capacities that athletes need to maximise their performance, perform their tasks competently, and compete on the global stage.
“Hence, the dire need to create a proper structure that will see the growth and development of the sports industry in Kaduna State.
“That is why we organised this event to get the technical input of all key stakeholders – Sport Administrators, State Association Chairman, Owners of Professional Clubs, Government Agencies, Sports Policy, and Business Experts, Private and Institutional Investors, for the Policy document. We hope to see all challenges adequately addressed and insightful recommendations made to help us deliver on the goals and objectives of a reformed and repositioned Sports Industry in Kaduna State,” he said.
