The Federal Government has started patronizing manufacturers of sports equipment in the country through its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Accordingly, the National Lottery Trust Funds, under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, “is currently distributing sports equipment to  selected primary schools in the country to encourage sporting activities and culture at the grassroots level.”

The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office (SDO) of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. Amina Shamaki, disclosed this during the fifth edition of the Annual ICON Sports Management Conference/Awards 2016 in Abuja.

According to her, there is a Federal Government policy which encourages the MDAs to patronise local manufacturers in order to save hard earned foreign exchange for the economy.

She charged investors and sports equipment manufacturers not to limit production of sporting equipment to only football but across all games.

“Sport is an economic sector and it can be one of the most important revenue generation activities in Nigeria once we put our house together,” she said.

She, however, dedicated her award to all Nigerians, saying that Nigerians were very hard working, resilient and dedicated and that they needed the right leadership at the right time, noting that the current leaders in Nigeria were passionate about change in the country.

Earlier in their presentation, Professor R.S. Adamu and Dr. Joe-Bell Adaji, Managing Director, Excellent Professional Inc highlighted the benefits of sports and the need for Nigerians to take advantage of investment in sports.