Kaduna state government has approved a Sports Industry Development Policy (SIDP) aimed at boosting the sports industry, to attract $150 million investments and create 50,000 jobs, the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Idris Samaila Nyam, has said.
Addressing sports writers in Kaduna on Friday, Nyam said the policy, which domesticates the recently approved Federal Government National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP), will see Kaduna state witness the following outcomes: Evolution of manufacturing industries to manufacture jerseys, football, foot wears, tracksuits, and other gears and equipment of various sports in Kaduna state; media companies specialised in live broadcasts/ streaming of sporting events and new sports television stations in Kaduna; Investors will have seamless acquisition of lands for the purpose of developing sports infrastructure and facilities.
“Kaduna State Executive Council at its last council meeting under the administration of Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, approved the Kaduna State Sports Industry Development Policy; making Kaduna state the first sub-national in the country to prioritise Sports industrialisation.
“With this approval, Kaduna state has underscored the potential opportunities of the sports industry to attract substantial investment required to repositioning sports in the state through the development of critical infrastructure, with a view to triggering mass participation in wellness/fitness, production and consumption of goods and services, talent development and capacity building in sports with attendant goods. The policy which is geared towards driving investment (domestic and foreign) into the state’s sports sector.
“The state is targeting an estimated US$150 million over a five-year period to address social and commercial opportunities with the projected engagement of over 50,000 people across the sports value chain. These investments are expected to drive: Grassroot, Community Participation and Mobilisation; Facilities and Infrastructure Development; Sports for Excellence and Professional Capacity Development; Association and Athletes Development; State’s Sports Industry Commercialisation and Economic Development 6. Sports Administration and Governance.
“This policy is going to provide the following amongst others: A compendium of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for investors in sports infrastructure and facilities; A Sport Infrastructure Development Plan for the standardisation of designs, development, and operations of sport facilities to address the needs of young people, girls, women, and people living with disabilities; Sport Health Insurance Scheme for Athletes and Coaches; Sports Tourism Master Plan to present tourism investment opportunities for investors and other stakeholders; Professional Athlete Development Programme,” he said.
