The management of the Sports University of Nigeria(SUN), Delta state has charged the newly appointed minister for sports development, John Owan Enoh to focus on the students/athletes scheme.
Speaking ahead of the south south/south east students/athletes scholarship trials for the sports university scheduled to hold Wednesday and Thursday at the Late Stephen Keshi Stadium, the acting director, of High-Performance Centre, Sports University of Nigeria said that the students/athletes scheme as it has been practiced in the United States of America will enhance the performance of the Nigeria athletes at the global stage.
According to him, the students will be in school and enjoying scholarships while competing,” this scheme will enable them to concentrate on their studies and career at all levels, it is as a result of this that I am appealing to the minister to embrace this project and support the university in its quest to bring honour to the country.”
The founder of the university Sen Ned Nwoko has concluded a plan to give one hundred student athletes scholarships in the institution to the tune of 2.5 million each and the opportunity to compete outside the country during those periods.
Olukoya, a UK-based sports lawyer further disclosed that the exercise will help in youth empowerment and grassroots sports development as the focus is on young talented students who are ready to explore the world with their talents.
He, however, advised the Federal Government to provide institutional support with a new student loan regime.
Meanwhile, well over 300 students/athletes have gathered in Asaba for the south south/southeast zone of the trials which will hold at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium.
The southeast zone trials was collapsed into the south-south zone trials because of the unrest in the Igbo land as the organizers were not ready to endanger the lives of the students.
They will engage in trials in eighteen sports to be led by the former general manager of Oyo State Sports Council Mr Gboyega Makinde.
The final phase of the trials will hold at a yet-to-be-fixed date on the school premises.
READ ALSO FROM SPORTING TRIBUNEÂ