Wike preaches against politics in sports

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (middle); Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare (right) and Captain, Rivers United, Festus Austin, during the trophy presentation at the end of the NPFL 2021/2022 season at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt… on Sunday.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has advised the Federal Government to remove political considerations from sports if it desires to make the best of the abundant talents in the country.

He said political interference in sports would always affect the advancement of the sector, adding that the sector should be led by only seasoned administrators to man the sector professionally.

According to Wike, the random selection of persons to satisfy quota consideration has frustrated the growth of sports on an enduring scale.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike, whom was at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, to watch the season-ending Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) match between Rivers United and Gombe United Club, said: “Let us remove politics from sports. Let’s go for the best. NFF, the Super Eagles, Falcons, we must do things based on merit, getting those who are qualified.

“Let us not say, take this from East, take from South, take from West, and take from North in order to make up the list, no. That won’t be the best for us.

“I want to tell Nigerians to know that sports should go beyond politics. Sports should not be confined to the political arena. We should allow people who have the talents, we should allow people who have the capacity to develop sports in Nigeria on board.”

Governor Wike expressed delight over Rivers United F.C. victory as champions of the Nigerian League, affirming that