Federation elections: I’m biggest loser ―Dalung

UNDER criticism for alleged undue interference in the impending sports federation elections, Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said as the minister, he was the biggest loser in the election because he has decided to completely democratize the process.

Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, he said he has the right to appoint at least 40 persons into the various federations but has decided that all positions must be contested for by interested qualified candidates.

He said: “Im the biggest loser in this election. I would have appointed my committee of friends, concubines and all what not but I said no, every position must be contested for.”

He affirmed that government only issued guidelines for the elections to ensure that qualified people have a fair chance to compete.

He also rubbished arguments that preventing long-serving chairmen from re-contesting could jeopardize the endorsements secured by such chairmen, saying that the endorsements were not personal to the chairmen but for the country.

Dalung said he was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to update President Muhammadu Buhari on the progress recorded in the sports sector.

He added: “I came to update the President about the progress recorded so far in our efforts to reposition the sports sector especially the forthcoming national federation elections with the guidelines that have been approved by the stakeholders forum.

“The process for the elections has been kickstarted.”