Reps vow to revisit grassroots sports

CHAIRMAN of House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Ali Gaiya, has reiterated thecommitment of the House to accordpriority to grassroots players with a view to restoring the lost glory of sports, particularly in football.Gaiya dropped this hint at the just-concluded Best of the Eight Amateur clubs competition, which gained promotion into the Nigeria National League (the pro cadre) at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna last weekend.According to him, going back to the grassroots became necessary not only to discover, nurture and monitor talents, but also to avoid a repeat of the 2011 episode where Nigerian national teams failed to qualified for major tournaments.Gaiya, who spoke through a member of the committee, Nasiru Baballe Ila, further said the country was blessed with good players, but ''they only need to be discovered and encouraged to deliver better result.'' He added that all hands must be on deck to return Nigerian football to its prime position in the coming year.He stressed the importance of football in Nigerian life as one of the strongest unifying factors in the country. He then pledged that the House would do everything within its powers to improve the fortunes of the game in the country.The lawmaker, however, commended the leadership of the Nigeria Amateur League led by Ahmad Muhammad Mu'azu Kawu for successful organisation of the Best of the Eight Amateur clubs competition.Meanwhile, Go Round Football Club of Port Harcourt was the overall winner of the tourney, followed by Akwa Starlet of Uyo, while Gray International FC of Ede, Osun State, was third.
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