The Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, has pledged his Ministry’s support for youths and sports development in Nigerian Army Barracks, reiterating that youths who are the leaders of tomorrow should be encouraged to engage in sporting activities for a better future.
The Minister made the pledge recently when he paid courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at the Army Headquarters Conference Room, Abuja.
He reminisced on the Army giant strides in sports development, as well as its glorious past in sporting competitions nationally and internationally. He urged the Army to restore its past glories by encouraging the personnel to participate in sports competitions.
He rued the non-participation of NA personnel in sporting competitions, saying that it has denied the nation many opportunities to win more medals. Mr Dalung who expressed his personal admiration for the Army, described the NA in glowing terms. He particularly lauded the troops for their gallantry and unique selfless sacrifice to the nation, noting that they and their families deserve the support of government.
Responding, the COAS thanked the minister for the visit and his pledge to assist in empowering the barrack youths through sports development. The COAS promised the Minister that the Army would revive active sporting activities and competitions among troops and youths within the barracks, assuring that the partnership would help to address unemployment among barrack youths through engagement in sporting activities.
The COAS used the forum to inform the Minister that plans are being put in place to organise Nigerian Army Sports Festival, which he said, would achieve other objectives, restoration of sporting competitions among troops and strengthening of bonds of unity among them.
Present at the occasion were the Army Headquarters principal staff officers (PSOs) and members of the minister’s entourage.
