The Special Adviser to the Imo State Government on Diaspora Affairs in Nigeria, has revealed that the engagement of Imo Diaspora Athletes will unlock the opportunities in sports industry
Which according to her is estimated to be US $500 Billion yearly.
In a media report made available to News Dot Africa, Imo Diaspora Athletes Engagement has already begun in earnest, spearheaded by the Governor’s Diaspora Office and coordinated through the Ministry of Sports.
It further stated that Imo Diaspora Office is on a mission to fish out both present and past international athletes from Imo state. The reason is to harness all their wealth of knowledge to stimulate sustainable socioeconomic growth through Sports.
“The Sports industry is estimated to be worth 500 billion U.S Dollars yearly and it is time for Imo to command a significant stake in the net worth of the Sports industry; the only way to achieve this quickly is by engaging our international athletes.” says Hon. Cllr. Celia Osakwe-Hibbert, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora.
Imo State is now awakened to a new wave, a fresh breeze of ‘hope’ as Hon. Mr. Daniel Oguh, the Commissioner For Sports has thrown his weight behind the Diaspora Athletes Engagement Initiative.
The Sports Commissioner has to this regard convened a strategic meeting and has thrown his full weight behind the actualization of this initiative stating that “Governor Hope Uzodinma has come to rehabilitate, recover and reconstruct Imo and through every sector this Government will deliver its promise to Imolites.”
The major sports brand names include Nike, ESPN, Adidas, Gatorade, Sky Sports, Puma, Under Armour, UFC; Imo SA Diaspora reckons Imo State can produce a ‘brand name’ on this league with an initiative like the one mentioned here.
Unlike some other industries (such as fossil fuels) dominated by only a few mega corporations, the Sports industry is made up of a large number of diverse, smaller players hence the Appointees target is very much achievable if sufficient Government instruments are deployed.
