FG Insists On Use Of NIN To Screen Athletes At NYG
The Federal Government has said the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) remains the standard parameter for screening of athletes taking part in the National Youth Games.
Sen. John Owan-Enoh, the Minister if Sports Development said the NIN rather than facial screening of athletes would reduce drastically if not totally eliminate the plague of age cheat in age-bound Games
Owan-Enoh who sooke on Sunday at a news conference in Asaba, the Delta State Capital said the directive for application of NIN verification system was irreversible as governent was determined to achieve the purpose of NYG which was essentially developmental in nature.
He said where there were disagreements on facial screening, NIN should be used to resolved it while called on all stakeholders to support the initiative to make it succeed in the interest of national sports development.
“Age cheat in the game meant for the discovery and development of budding talents for the country at the grassroots has become a cankerworm, if not completely eliminated, it capable of crippling government’s efforts at developing grassroots sports
*Age cheat in sports is an area in which the Ministry requires the support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media,” he said.
On our part, one of the innovations at this year’s edition of the Games is the introduction of the National Identity Number (NIN) as part of the verification process for athletes. Working with other stakeholders, we shall keep improving the process as we move along until we reduce to the barest minimum, the issue of age cheat in sports. We have to get this right as a nation if we hope to achieve sports excellence. I have directed that NIN presentation is a compulsory requirement for screening and the directive has not been reversed* “he said.
Owan-Enoh said his focus in Sports Development were grassroots and elite sports adding that governent would continue to support grassroots sports through the provision of infrastructure and implementation National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP).
He said the 2023 NYG provided a unique opportunity to rewrite the story of Nigeria’s sports as it came at a time when there was a President who had interest in sports by creating separate a Ministry solely responsible for sports.
*I can assure you that the present leadership of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu shall pay undivided attention to the development of the abundant talents in the nation.
“We do this not just with an eye on podium performances but for creating a career pathway for our youth and millions of job opportunities in the sports value chain.
“We hope use sports to reduce poverty amongst our youth and encourage inclusiveness of women participation in sports with a view to improving security,* he said.
He said that government would continue to ensure early exposure of athletes to necessary infrastructure that will equip them not only to exhibit their sporting talents but also to afford them the opportunity to equip themselves for transition to the elite stage.
