2,000 primary schools to get kits, equipment from National Lottery Board

THE National Lottery Board has moved to boost sports at the grassroots by investing in kits and other sports equipment, which it would distribute to 2, 000 primary schools across the country.

The equipment, according to the board, will aid pupils in primary schools to learn the rudiments of different sports at their tender age.

According to the board’s Secretary, Habu Gumel, who is also the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, games masters and other sports officials in the receiving primary schools would be lectured on the usage of the equipment before their installation.

He, however, revealed that there is a lobby for the equipment to be distributed rather to secondary schools instead of primary schools, who may not have the facility to host them.

Gumel, who made the disclosure during the NOC’s annual general meeting at the Yankari Games Resort and Safari, Bauchi, said, “we want to get our children involved in sports as early as possible because that is one way of recognising and developing their talents.

“There is an argument that giving the equipment to primary schools may not achieve the result, as the kits may be lost due to poor storage. Most primary schools do not have the secure environment to store the equipment, so those arguing for handing them over to the secondary schools may have a point there. We will look at the best possible beneficiary of the kits and work out ways to make them useful.”