The National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel has issued a final warning to sports federations and associations that have not complied with the National Sports Act 2023, saying they have five months to regularize their status or lose government support.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ogwel said the grace period granted in December last year will expire on June 30, after which sanctions will be enforced against non compliant bodies.
“Compliance is not optional and these requirements are meant to strengthen governance, accountability and inclusivity in sports administration,” Ogwel said.
Under the amended Sports Act, all national sports federations and associations are required to re register with the National Council of Sports. Ogwel said the process has been slow, citing delayed and incomplete submissions, weak governance structures, and ongoing leadership disputes within several bodies.
He highlighted national coverage as a major stumbling block, noting that federations must demonstrate 75 percent presence across the country, while associations are required to show at least 50 percent representation.
Ogwel revealed that out of the 51 federations and associations that existed before the new law came into force, only 45 have submitted applications so far, leaving several at risk as the deadline approaches.
He warned that bodies that fail to meet the legal requirements will be excluded from government funding in the next financial year, urging leaderships to resolve internal issues and complete the registration process before time runs out.
