Stakeholders make case for resumption of contact sports

By Saheed Afolabi

As the lockdown on various sectors continued to be eased by the government allowing some gatherings to come back, stakeholders in sports have appealed to the government to allow resumption of contact sports too such as football and others.

Already, the non- contact sports have been re- opened, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare said conversations are ongoing for the return of contact sports.

Apealing to the government, the grassroots coaches said the resumption should be hastened for them to return to field.

Ghetto Light FC General Manager, Azeez Mustapha said: “We believe the words of the honorable minister who has been superb since his appointment to head the ministry of sports. Absolutely, Ghetto Light FC went on break in line with the government directive on March 19 and it has been six months without football.

“As law abiding team, we also abandoned our semi final tie at the Oshodi unity cup to honor the directive of the government. The boys are match rusty and we all cannot wait to return to the game we live for.”

Christopher Ogar, the coach of Great Success FC said: “I am sure that contact sports will resume soon because we know that the honorable minister of youth and sport is a man of his words. If the markets and religious gatherings are allowed to resume by following the laid down Covid-19 guidelines then contact sports should be ready to resume too. But above all, I believe that contact sports will return sooner than we think.”