Ekeji dangles tax rebate to coys for sports sponsorship
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The Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji, has said that government was willing to create the enabling environment for private sector partnership in sports development.
Ekeji, who made the assertion on Thursday in Lagos at the Nigerian International Football Expo, said that there were businesses in Nigerian sports waiting to be explored.``Sports are a powerful tool for social and economic development. There are businesses in sports that if well harnessed can create opportunities for our youths who are gifted.
``Sports is a big issue in Nigeria, if we must get the best from it, it must be run with the best practices,’’ Ekeji said.
He said that it was time for the reinvigoration of government-private sector partnership in sports development through tax relief for sports sponsorship.
``Part of government’s efforts is encouraging sports sponsorship with tax holidays for companies that invest in sports. I urge corporate bodies to take advantage of the tax rebates,’’ he added.
The Director-General said that there was need for sports managers to rebuild their image which, he noted, had suffered a great setback to enable to them attract sponsors.
He condemned the lack of sports facilities in schools, describing it as most unfortunate.
``Most of our schools now do not have the minimum standard of sporting facilities. In my days as a secondary school student in Lagos, there were facilities and equipment in all schools.
``What we are experiencing now is not good for total development of our children and this is not helping us to discover and develop talents in the country,’’ Ekeji said.
The Managing Director of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Alex Goma, said that what corporate bodies required for them to be involved in sports sponsorship was not tax holiday.
“Tax rebate is not the most important incentive for corporate bodies toward sports sponsorship but an enabling environment to reach our target customer.
``The companies look forward to have a link with their consumers. Football is a great tool for that in Nigeria.
``But football is not run as a business in Nigeria that is why the companies are not taking its full advantage,’’ Goma said.
He noted that various football clubs in Nigeria were not using the media effectively to facilitate the entertainment value of the game.
``How many of them have websites people can get information about them or facebook that people can interact with them.
``Clubs must create stars out of their players to get endorsement money and no company will invest in a club without character and planning,’’ Goma said.
He said that to encourage people to show interest in watching Nigerian league matches, there was need to make the stadiums spectator-friendly.
``Facilities in the stadiums must be user-friendly with minimum standard of safety. Nobody wants to go a stadium where he will be beaten with a horsewhip or his wallet stolen,’’ Goma said.
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Ekeji dangles tax rebate to coys for sports sponsorship
Category: Sports Written by . Hits: 805
The Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji, has said that government was willing to create the enabling environment for private sector partnership in sports development.
Ekeji, who made the assertion on Thursday in Lagos at the Nigerian International Football Expo, said that there were businesses in Nigerian sports waiting to be explored.``Sports are a powerful tool for social and economic development. There are businesses in sports that if well harnessed can create opportunities for our youths who are gifted.
``Sports is a big issue in Nigeria, if we must get the best from it, it must be run with the best practices,’’ Ekeji said.
He said that it was time for the reinvigoration of government-private sector partnership in sports development through tax relief for sports sponsorship.
``Part of government’s efforts is encouraging sports sponsorship with tax holidays for companies that invest in sports. I urge corporate bodies to take advantage of the tax rebates,’’ he added.
The Director-General said that there was need for sports managers to rebuild their image which, he noted, had suffered a great setback to enable to them attract sponsors.
He condemned the lack of sports facilities in schools, describing it as most unfortunate.
``Most of our schools now do not have the minimum standard of sporting facilities. In my days as a secondary school student in Lagos, there were facilities and equipment in all schools.
``What we are experiencing now is not good for total development of our children and this is not helping us to discover and develop talents in the country,’’ Ekeji said.
The Managing Director of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Alex Goma, said that what corporate bodies required for them to be involved in sports sponsorship was not tax holiday.
“Tax rebate is not the most important incentive for corporate bodies toward sports sponsorship but an enabling environment to reach our target customer.
``The companies look forward to have a link with their consumers. Football is a great tool for that in Nigeria.
``But football is not run as a business in Nigeria that is why the companies are not taking its full advantage,’’ Goma said.
He noted that various football clubs in Nigeria were not using the media effectively to facilitate the entertainment value of the game.
``How many of them have websites people can get information about them or facebook that people can interact with them.
``Clubs must create stars out of their players to get endorsement money and no company will invest in a club without character and planning,’’ Goma said.
He said that to encourage people to show interest in watching Nigerian league matches, there was need to make the stadiums spectator-friendly.
``Facilities in the stadiums must be user-friendly with minimum standard of safety. Nobody wants to go a stadium where he will be beaten with a horsewhip or his wallet stolen,’’ Goma said.