Ernest Osogbue.
The African Union Sports Council, AUSC, Region 2, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, NSC, is organizing a two day workshop, aimed at driving Sustainable Sports Development in West Africa. The workshop which brings together AUSC directors of sports from West Africa, is to find new ideas on how to drive sports development within the sub-region, and the continent at large.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Director, Social Development, Culture, and Sports, at the African Union, Dr. Angel Martins, challenged African Union member states to be up to date with their contributions to the Unions budget, as without adequate financing, very little could be achieved in the drive to improve the social wellbeing of the people.
According to Dr. Martins, the African Union is committed to discovering, nurturing, and grooming sports talents to become world beaters in different fields of sporting activities, and as a result, member states must be prepared to contribute financially. She further stated that the immediate task of the AUSC, was the promotion of traditional African sports. This she said can be done by integrating African traditional sports into schools sporting curriculum.
From introducing African traditional sports into schools curriculum, the sports could grow and be introduced to the All Africa Games, and then the Olympic Games, where African countries would enjoy a comparative advantage. This according to her, was in line with the African Union vision for sports development, which is; Promote Sustainable Development, Nurture Talents, and Showcase African traditional sports globally.
The Chairman National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who Chaired the opening session, congratulated members for being in attendance, and challenged them to come up with innovative ideas on how to promote African traditional sports. The Secretary General AUSC Region 2, Dr. Shamsu Mustapha, who welcomed the delegates to Abuja, encouraged them to enjoy the sights of Nigeria’s beautiful capital city, Abuja, while thinking of new ways to promote African traditional sports.
The workshop continues tomorrow.
