Senate passes National Sports Commission, sports varsity bills

The Senate, yesterday, passed two bills seeking to establish the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federal University of Sports, Nkalagu, Ebonyi State.

The passage of both bills came after the consideration of two separate reports by the Committee on Sports and Youth Development.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Obinna Ogba, in his presentation, said the NSC, when established, would be charged with the responsibility of administering, encouraging and developing sports and games throughout Nigeria.

He added that stakeholders at the public hearing lauded the legislative intent of the bill, noting that the Commission will impact greatly on Nigeria’s youths who aspire to become successful sportsmen and women.

Ogba explained that at a time Nigeria was making efforts to diversify its sources of revenue, the establishment of the sports commission has the potential to help the process for the optimum benefit of revenue generation.

In his second presentation, the lawmaker said the Federal University of Sports, Nkalagu, when established, would develop and offer academic and professional programmes leading to the award of first degrees, post-graduate research and higher degrees with an emphasis on planning, adaptive, technical, maintenance, developmental and productive skills in engineering, scientific, and allied professional disciplines relating to sports resources.