The House of Representatives Committee on Sports Wednesday launched a large-scale distribution of sporting equipment to all 360 federal constituencies in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled at the National Assembly, Abuja, was spearheaded by the Committee in collaboration with the National Sports Commission.
The initiative is designed to promote youth participation in sports and facilitate talent discovery through the provision of essential kits, including football boots, training gear, and jerseys.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony, Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, called on lawmakers to prioritise investments in sports development over infrastructure projects that often remain incomplete.
He emphasised the urgent need to return to grassroots-level sports as a foundation for national achievement on the global stage.
The Speaker criticised the widespread establishment of underutilized skill acquisition centers and urged legislators to instead channel resources into community-based sports initiatives.
He added: “It is unacceptable that a country of over 230 million people returns from international competitions without medals, while smaller nations excel. To reclaim our sporting glory, we must rebuild from the ground up.
“This is the first time I have seen the Sports Committee exceed expectations within such a short period. Their work is exemplary and should be replicated by other committees,” Abbas added.
Also, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kabiru Amadu reaffirmed the House’s commitment to reinvigorating grassroots sports across Nigeria.
He noted that every constituency would receive a share of the distributed equipment, with lawmakers responsible for ensuring the materials reach local communities.
“This is more than a symbolic gesture. It’s a strategic step toward reviving sports engagement and nurturing talent at the grassroots,” Amadu, who represents Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency stated.
The chairman also announced that the next phase of the program would focus on the construction of mini-stadiums across the country, providing a sustainable foundation for long-term sports development.