The management of the Sports University of Nigeria (SUN), Delta state has charged the newly appointed Minister for Sports John Owan Enoh to focus on students/athletes scheme.
Speaking ahead of the south south/south east students/athletes scholarship trials for the sport university scheduled to hold Wednesday and Thursday at the Late Stephen Keshi Stadium, the acting director, High Performance Centre,Sport University of Nigeria said that the students/athletes scheme, as its being practiced in the United States of America, will enhance performance of the Nigeria athletes at the global stage.
According to him, the students will be in school and be enjoying scholarship while competing, adding that “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 Senator Ned Nwoko has concluded plan to give one hundred students athletes scholarship in the institution to the tune of N2.5millions each and opportunity to compete outside the country during those period.
Olukoya, a UK based sports lawyer speaking further disclosed that the exercise will help in youth empowerment and grassroot sports development as the focus is on young talented students who are ready to explore the world with their talents.
He, however, adviced the federal government to provide institutional support with new student loan regime.
Meanwhile,well over 300 students/athletes have gathered in Asaba for the south south/south east zone of the trials which will hold at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium.
The south east zone trials was collapsed with the south south zone trial because of the unrest in the Igbo land as the organizers were not ready to endanger the lives of the students.
The 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.