Sports entrepreneur and Chairman of Gombe Athletics Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has urged the federal government not to release the proposed N78 billion budgeted for the National Sports Commission (NSC).

He argued that the commission has the capacity to raise funds independently to drive the sports economy, particularly e-sports, without relying on taxpayers’ money.

In a statement shared on his social media handle, Gombe criticized the allocation, warning that previous funds earmarked for sports development were mismanaged. He called for reforms and accountability before any public funds are released to the commission.

“Sports economies across the world are not funded with public money but driven by private investments,” Gara Gombe stated. “I have read reports about the N78 billion allocation, and sadly, the same people who celebrated past budgets that were squandered are jubilating again. This is a recipe for disaster.”

He referenced the failed N3 billion sponsorship deal between SuperSport and the League Management Company (LMC) as an example of financial mismanagement in the sector. According to him, the lack of accountability in the use of such funds has hindered sports development in Nigeria.

Gombe said, “The same people who promised they could attract sponsors are celebrating N78 billion. If they truly have the capacity, let them use their contacts to raise the money instead of relying on public funds. The NSC must be sanitised before any funds are released.”

He also emphasized the need to reduce government funding for sports and proposed the re-establishment of the Team Nigeria initiative, managed by trustees, as a more effective model for raising and managing funds.

“Efforts should be made to re-establish Team Nigeria with appointed trustees to manage funds. Government funding should be transitional and eventually phased out to encourage private sector investment in sports,” he said.

The sports advocate expressed concern over Nigeria’s lack of world-class sports infrastructure despite previous government interventions.

He specifically criticized the $1 million reportedly sourced from Aliko Dangote by former Sports Minister Sunday Dare for renovating the Abuja Stadium, noting that the facility and others across the country still fail to meet international standards.