The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Chapter has demanded the minister of youth and sports development, Barrister Solomon Dalung to account for the N2.7 billion released by government last year for Nigeria’s participation at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville and preparation of the country’s athletes for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

This is part of the resolutions of the body on the state of sports management in Nigeria at end of their monthly congress held during the weekend in Abuja.

The association urged the Minister to as of urgency present and implement his blueprint for sports development, rather than grandstanding and gallivanting all over the world.

The body of pen professional also among other things, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on the sports sector by investigating how the money that was disbursed for the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo was expended and urged him hasten to release money for Nigeria’s preparation towards Rio 2016 Olympic Games, saying the country’s athletes are capable of winning medals at the Games, if there is adequate preparation and called on government to leveraged on the success of Team Nigeria, which was a deliberate, corporate-driven initiative, geared towards generating fund and ensured money released was used on funding local and foreign training tours for athletes ahead of major international sporting events.

The body also want government to explore alternative means, including the National Lottery Funds and Sports Development Funds to finance sports and augment its budgetary allocations.

It said government should also consider making tax concessions and other generous rebate to corporations that sponsor sports.

The association lauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for contracting Samson Siasia as the Super Eagles stand in coach for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Egypt, in the wake of the uncertainty that followed the resignation of Sunday Oliseh. The congress deemed it as a move that will repose confidence and trust in indigenous coaches. But condemned

the recent policy of the NFF to stop paying match bonuses to all national age-grade teams, saying it is capable of discouraging players from giving their best when called to represent the country and flayed the lack of continuity in sports administration and proposed that individuals with prerequisite skills and knowledge be appointed and elected into strategic sporting positions.

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Account For N2.7billion AAG, Olympics Preparation, SWAN Tell Dalung