By Jonathan Ugbal
Nigeria’s sports development minister, Senator John Owan Enoh on Thursday emerged the Africa Sports and Tourism Awards, ASTA Africa Sports Man of the year hours after sponsored posts about him interfering in the selection process for the next coach of the Senior national football team.
“I would like to express my gratitude to ASTA (Africa Sports and Tourism Awards) for appointing me as the Chairman and Keynote speaker at the inaugural edition. I was also honored to receive the Africa Sports Man of the Year award at the event on the 25th of April 2024 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja,” Enoh wrote on his verified Facebook page.
The former lawmaker who averred that, “sports is an undeniable catalyst for the growth and development of various sectors, and a powerful driver of progress for the African continent,” also pointed out that, “Project Fly with Us Africa deserves thanks for highlighting the connection between sports and tourism. This relationship has the potential to transform our future as a continent.”
Super Eagles Coach
News of the award arrived within a few hours after several media outlets quoted Complete Sports as reporting that the minister was rooting for a return of Jose Peseiro as the coach of the Super Eagles, which his media aide, swiftly denied.
“We have been made aware of some news circulating in certain media channels about the Honorable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, supposedly in advanced talks with José Peseiro for a potential return as Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. We want to clarify that this news is entirely false and has been fabricated to create sensation,” read the statement signed by Diana-Mary Nsan and issued on Thursday.
“The Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, does not interfere or influence critical decisions of the federations, particularly in this case, the NFF. He operates with utmost decorum and ensures that the federations meet the required expectations and standards in the discharge of their duties.
“The Honorable Minister of Sports is committed to ensuring that the sports sector in Nigeria achieves monumental success under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Therefore, we urge Nigerians who love sports, critical stakeholders, including the media, to continue supporting the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and disregard this false news,” the statement added.
Enoh who has navigated the sports sector without controversy, a departure from the past, has several times, said he will not do the jobs of the federations for them, even though he holds an opinion like every other Nigerian and will support them.
He re-echoed his position recently in a Television interview where he said the Super Eagles will soon get a coach following updates he received from the NFF.
90 Days To Paris 2024
Meanwhile, in preparation for Nigeria’s participation at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, the minister met with the Nigeria Olympians Association, NOA and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC at his office inside the MKO Abiola sports stadium in Abuja.
Led by the President, Olumide Oyedeji Oly, the NOA whom the minister referred to as “Olympic gods,” inducted him as a member, and sought areas of collaboration for a successful outing.
Enoh said he received detailed updates on the country’s readiness for the 2024 Olympics and pointed out that, “it is important that Nigeria performs exceptionally well in the upcoming Olympics, and we are taking the necessary steps to make that happen.”
The permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Tinuke Watti, the NOC President, Engr. Habu Gumel, executives of the NOC, the acting Director FEAD, Olumide Bamiduro and other directors of the ministry attended the meeting which also looked into upcoming qualification games.
