SPORTS Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi has assured Nigerians and sports lovers in the United Kingdom that the Federal Government is committed to the development of sports and as part of initiatives to make this a reality, laws to that effect would soon be fine-tuned by the National Assembly.

Abdullahi disclosed that at the moment, the sports ministry is still operating on laws that are ‘clogging’ its performance and do not allow it to accelerate at the pace and level it would have wanted to operate.

He also admitted that the ministry has a lot of distractions mitigating against its effectiveness, noting, however, that when the bill, which is due to be presented for its second reading, sails through and is finally passed into law, the sports ministry would launch a sophisticated attack and approach towards professionalism in the ministry.

Abdullahi, who made these revelations during a courtesy call to the Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida in his office in London on Tuesday, admitted that most of the staff working at the ministry were not professionals, saying they were merely posted to the ministry from the civil service commission.

He told the High Commissioner that President Goodluck Jonathan would in a couple of weeks launch “Rhythm ‘n’ Play” campaign in Abuja and London, the plan, which is a brainchild of National Academic Sports Commission (NASCOM).

The minister revealed that the Rhythm ‘n’ Play programme would be launched in Abuja and London in June 6 and 14 respectively, adding that the Federal Government has given its full backing to the initiative, which is aimed at engaging its youths in the  Diaspora  in order to ensure their successful participation in international sports competitions in the future.

Abdullahi said for Nigerians to compete effectively in sports at the highest level, especially in athletics and other areas, athletes must be ready to put in at least 10, 000 hours of training before any competition.

Breaking it down, he said at least two and half-hours of training every day is required for them to be fit for any competition.

“We will take advantage of what we have to get what we need. We may not have the kind of facilities they have here in the UK and other developed countries, but we will ensure we harness every opportunity at our disposal and partner with other countries for success,” he said.

Admitting that the country cannot excel in sports “when we are not learning from other countries,” Abdullahi cited Kenya and other countries as examples that have little or no resources compared to what Nigeria has, but are excelling in track and field events.