Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Olawande Ayodele has urged the government of Qatar to establish a sports academy in Nigeria as part of efforts at broadening the recently expanding relations between both countries.
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Sports247 reports that Comrade Ayodele also urged the oil rich Middle East country to look into more areas of support for Nigeria in the aspect of sports, considering that it is a very viable sector that can further cement global relations.
Ayodele made the call while speaking during a strategic meeting with the Qatar’s ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hail at the secretariat of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja.
He pointed out that the meeting, which had NSC chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko in attendance, was aimed at fostering sporting relationships, youth development and socio-cultural collaborations between Nigeria and Qatar.
The minister added, “We want to see how we can foster sporting relationships and, by extension, youth development between Nigeria and Qatar. You have to see how you can set up a sports academy here that will engage most of our youths.
“Sports is a major vehicle to keep our youths busy and away from social vices. Fortunately, we have a hardworking chairman who can make this happen. This visit will open doors to greater sporting collaborations between both countries.”
In his response, Ambassador Al-Hail said he was optimistic that the engagement will deepen Nigeria/Qatar relations and assured of his country’s cooperation in the areas of sports infrastructure, national teams preparations for tournaments, hosting major events, academy development and export of talents.
