By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, says Nigeria has the capacity to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, with improvement in its facilities.

The minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded 13th African Games in Ghana.

Enoh decried the fact that no African country has hosted the Commonwealth Games since inception.

According to him, it remains a black spot on African countries not to have hosted the Games in spite being a member since its inception.

“While in Ghana during the 2023 All African Games, I appealed for African countries particularly Nigeria to submit bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

“I saw it as a black spot on Africa for not being able to host the Games since its inception in 1930.

“And of course we have the facilities to host such big tournament like the Commonwealth Games.

“All we need to do is to start preparations early, revive some of the facilities, build some and improve the state of others across the country.

“Though, I don’t think I am going to be in office as the Minister of Sports at that time but it’s what we can start now and achieve if there’s continuity after leaving the office,” he said.

The minister also commended Team Nigeria’s “gallant’ performance at the 13th African Games in Ghana, where Nigeria emerged second behind Egypt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria finished with 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.

Enoh, however, stressed that preparations for the 14th African Games slated for Egypt in 2027 must start now, if Nigeria is to displace the likes of Egypt on the continent.

He assured that all hands will be on deck, working with the high performance centre and other stakeholders to ensure early preparations for Nigeria. (NAN)

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