Determined to revamp Nigeria sports and give athletes their due regard and national pride, the minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has announced plans by the ministry to commence payment of monthly stipends to active athletes as well start up a pension scheme for retired athletes.
The minister who disclosed this while interacting with journalists during a two-day Inter-ministerial Technical Session on Sports Industry Development, said such policies are long overdue in view of the fact that other countries in developed countries had long ago implemented various schemes aimed at motivating the athletes both before, during and after competitions.
The minister is worried on why Nigerian athletes survive virtually on their own especially when they are not participating in competitions. He said because the athletes are not taking good care of, they are not putting in their best.
The minister then stated that the ex-internationals should be regarded and treated in the same way retired civil servants are looked after when they leave service.