Nigeria supporting Egypt’s bid to host 2036 Olympics – Dare

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says the country is backing Egypt’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

If given the hosting rights, Egypt will be the first African country to host the Olympics.

Dare was speaking at the first-ever conference on ‘Sports Diplomacy as the Driver of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Agenda for Africa’ at a colloquium held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday.

The sports minister who praised Egypt’s capability to host such a big event, said their hosting the Olympics would be of economic importance to Africa.

“The capabilities of our Egyptian brothers and sisters are significant as those who have visited recently will testify. This will really showcase the capabilities of Africa to the world and bring the world even closer to Africa through this very powerful tool.

“The economic opportunities for our people are of course significant as the symbolic importance of hosting the world,” Dare said.

Egypt’s Sports Minister, Ashraf Sobhy, who announced the country’s intention of bidding for the 2036 Olympics hosting rights in January, said it was part of President A del Fattah el-Sisi’s vision for a “new era” in the country. Meanwhile Dare has also said that with proper branding, sports can be used to boost Nigeria’s economy.

The minister said Nigeria could brand its sports by taking a cue from other countries like India (known for cricket), Kenya (known for its middle and long-distance racing), Jamaica (for sprints), and Brazil (football).

“Sports can stimulate economic activities and improve the cause of humanity, emphasising the need to transit sports to business models that will deliver all-round value and ensure sustainable and incremental growth,” the sports minister said.

He said he already got an approval from President Muhammadu Buhari to reclassify sports as a business in the country.

He also said the sports ministry is looking towards collaborating with other countries towards youth and sports development in Nigeria.

“One of the first steps I took as Minister was to seek President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval to reclassify sports as a business, to which the president accented in 2020.

“With the work done with private and other public sector partners, as well as the National Economic Summit Group, we produced a draft of the National Sports Industry Policy which will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council for its consideration and hopefully approval,” he also said.

“This policy is anchored on three triggers, the three ‘I’s which are Infrastructure, Investment and Incentive; all embedded in the sports policy,” Dare added.