The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development says plans are underway to set up electoral committees that would conduct elections into the boards of the recently dissolved sports federations.
Simeon Ebhojiaye, Director, Federations, Elite Athletes and Development (FEAD) in the ministry, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare had on April 30 dissolved the boards of 30 national sports federations and appointed caretaker committees to run their affairs pending when elections would be conducted.
Director of FEAD at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Simeon Ebhojaiye, explained in a statement yesterday: “In order to avoid a vacuum in running the affairs of the federations, the ministry swiftly constituted three-man caretaker committee for each of the federations to hold the forth before the elections that will hold in September, 2021.
“As part of efforts to organise concise and credible elections that will stand the test of time, the ministry has concluded arrangements to set up electoral committees, which will conduct the Federations elections in September 2021.
“The ministry will not rest on its oars in ensuring that its mandate, mission and vision are achieved in repositioning the sports Sector in Nigeria.”
Ebhojaiye did not touch on the situation at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which is currently enmeshed in a leadership crisis that has factionalised it.
The parties to the crisis are already in court, but World Athletics recently gave the federation up till June 14 to conduct elections into the board.
Below is the list of members of the caretaker committees as approved by the minister:
Aquatic Federation of Nigeria Caretaker, Babatunde Fatai William’s, Olumide George Athletic Federation of Nigeria; Francis Orbih Badminton Federation of Nigeria; Eng. Musa Kida, Basketball Federation of Nigeria; Rtd General Joseph Ayeni, Nigeria Boxing Federation; DIG Sani Sani Mohammed, Nigeria Chess Federation; Professor Yahaya Ukwanya, Nigeria Cricket Federation; G Masari, Cycling Federation of Nigeria; Abubakar Gaya, Darts Federation of Nigeria; Alhaji U Nahuche, Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation; Abubakar Dangaladima, Fives Federation of Nigeria; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Nigeria Golf Federation; Prince Kelvin Erhurnwunse, Gymnastic Federation of Nigeria.
Others are Samuel Ochecho, Handball Federation of Nigeria; Senator Andul Ningi, Nigeria Hockey Federation; Brig Gen. Z L Abubakar, Nigeria Judo Federation; Sila Agara, Karate Federation of Nigeria; Yakubu Abubakar Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria; Arc.
Adewunmi Adekunle Nigeria Wushu Kungfu Federation; Rtd Rear Admiral Porbeni Festus, Nigeria Rowing, Canoeing and Yachting Federation; Comrade Iyorchia Grace, Nigeria Rugby Federation; Suleman Gora Nigeria Scrabble Federation; Maj.
General Johnny Hamakim, Nigeria Shooting Federation; Oyerinde Adeboye, Nigeria Squash Federation; Chief Tikon Ishayaku, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation; Mrs.Margaret Binga, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation; Akindoju Olaoye Nigeria Tennis Federation, Usman Musa Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria; Musa Nimrod, Nigeria Volleyball Federation; Tonobok Okowa, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation; Dr. Daniel Igali, Nigeria Wrestling Federation.