Mr. Dawuda Gana is the father of Young Nigerian descent Kart Racer based in the UK, Philip Janos Gana. New National Star Esther Egbe had an exclusive interview with him recently concerning the delay of his son’s license and the president ATCN spoke about his own side of the report.
What happened to the Idris Elba search new Motorsport talent speed academy you told me about?
My son attended the speed academy, but it turned out not to be what we were expecting, it was more of a novice introductory to Karting, so we just ended up enjoying the days out. It was for a new TV show.
What are the challenges you have at the moment to pursue your son’s career in racing?
The biggest challenge is funding. It is a very expensive Sport. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to attract any new sponsors to assist with the costs. I will be able to attend six U.K. club Tournaments and three European tournaments. Sadly I had to pull out of the IAME Euroseries, I completed two out of the four races, in Zuera, Spain and Mariembourg in Belgium. I still have around 2/3 European events I would like to attend if I can get the backing.
What’s the role of D’Banj in your son’s funds raising?
The D’Banj is the captain of the Nigeria Team for the MotorSports Game. We are looking forward to meeting him and watching his performance at the show, we are currently raising funds to attend, and the registration ends in the middle of September; hopefully, we would have risen the neccessary funding by then.
Have you been able to meet with the Sports Minister since you are representing Nigeria?
I have not met with the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports yet ,but was lucky to have a meeting with Mr Bukola Olopade of Nilayo Sports, one of Nigeria’s best Sports promoters and he was really enthusiastic about what I have been doing and promised to work with us to help get corporate sponsors to help with funding. I also had the privilege of meeting the heads of the Nigerian Olympic committee and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, during the just concluded commonwealth games in Birmingham.
How would you rate Nigeria in the Motor Race game?
Motorsports in Nigeria is at a point where it is about to take off and become well recognized, hopefully, more can be done to put in the tracks and infrastructure required.
Can you tell us in detail what happened between you and the ATCN President?
ATCN sent us the forms, we filled them and submitted. Only to find out that they did not send a form required to complete the application according to the guidelines. As things stand, we still don’t know if his license will be renewed or when that will happen. I think I had made it clear that I had known him for over two decades, so yes I have known him for long. I agree, I am officially not a member (according to him) because the association is not run as any normal association should be run. There is no association that has a president for life, especially one that governs a sector of sports that represents the Nigerian people.
What is the update issue why your son’s license?
I finally submitted the medical report yesterday. Let’s see what happens. They called during the week asking me to stop talking to the press. The delay is intentional and calculated.
Has this issue of delay affect your Son in any way?
I think I had made it clear that they have finally sent us the forms; we have filled them and submitted. Only to find out that they did not send a form required to complete the application according to the guidelines. As things stand, we still don’t know if his license will be renewed or when that will happen.
How long will it take them to get back to you since you have submitted the medical report?
I really don’t know according to the VP they were only waiting for his medicals, and everything was ready to be issued. But I will not be surprised if there is further delay. Yes we were hoping to attend the first event in February, but due to this delay we couldn’t register. Even the next event is in doubt (in March) because you need the license to register.
How does your son feel about this all thing?
My son is very disappointed in the attitude of the Association; he has even aired that he would rather join another association than have to deal with them. But I explained to him that we entered this to represent the nation, and we will not allow individuals without the moral or ethical standing to sabotage that.
Automobile Touring Club of Nigeria ,President
ATCN PRESIDENT reaction
Can we meet you Sir?
I am Barrister Ishiaku Bamaiyi the President Automobile Touring Club of Nigeria { ATCN]
Phillip’s license was rejected, is that inline with the international sporting code?
Phillips license wasn’t renewed because of his father attitude, Mr. Dawuda insulted the Association and our sponsors and the association informed him that he will not be able to represent his son anymore so we needed someone to stand for him, to our knowledge he didn’t give us a better representative and the person he provided to stand for Phillips wasn’t capable and didn’t summit all the important documents needed by the association. The father didn’t present his entre, We don’t want to make trouble with Phillips father, because the people he insulted can end his son’s career, but we don’t want that for the young man.
How was he discovered?
The Association is the force behind Phillips rising and the young man is just 15 years old, he is not an adult , it doesn’t work that way MotorSports .OND the ones the that manufacturer motor suit his father insulted him.
What happen to the person Mr.Dawuda nominated to represent his son?
Mr.Dawuda nominated someone who didn’t summit all the documents and fill his form.
Does MotorSports generate fast cash?
When you are doing Motorsports you can’t start making money immediately, only if you signed to a club his son race for himself and driver race for a flag also another point is that clubs appoint individual to represent their country.
Did Mr.Dawuda paid for the Association Website?
Mr .Dauda came and me asked if we had a website i told him we are having issues with it and he offer to get another website for us ,he told me he has someone who can help me with it he will pay and i allow him and when ATN registered Phillips’s father he could use the website to promote his son .
Mr.Dauda that our website was giving us issues and we are looking for another website designer Phillips’s father said he has a friend who design website, he will give the man the job and told me he paid the website friend 350k three hundred and fifty thousand naira, if you look at the website you will see it the son’s story all over the website. If you check now on the page you will get more information about our Association, before now it was just one page with big picture of Phillips, he didn’t do any good for me, all he did for website was for himself, the only good he did was he paid digital. said he supported the association with the website he was using for his son promotion; he didn’t contribute anything to the association. said he supported the association with the website he was using for his son promotion; he didn’t contribute anything to the association.
What is the cause of Philips Gana license delay?
Philip Gana license father has submitted all the important documents the association need to renew the license, we didn’t give him medical form because he is not in Nigeria ,its better he has it done in the UK. It’s make easy for them.
Is Mr.Dawuda a member of the Association?
No,he is not member of our association, he messed up he should say the whole story instead of giving out half information to the press and social media .
Why did the Association ask Phillips ‘s father not to represent his son before the delay of the license?
The Association didn’t do anything wrong to Mr.Dawuda, we correct him, but he refuse to be corrected.he cause alot of problem for everyone. Mr. Gana got someone to represent his son and we are still waiting for all his the documents the association asks him to summit
Don’t you think this rejection affect the boy ?
The Association didn’t killed his son’s career, the boy didn’t do anything wrong to us, it was his father that messed up his chance with the ATCN, if he didn’t report us to FIA officials and he messed up and if we try to correct you and refuse and report us to foreign organization.
Is Mr. Dawuda a member of the Association?
No, he is not a member, he is just a beneficial to the Association and he is my friend for decades. I don’t really know why he is fighting the ATCN on different platforms. I don’t have any problem with him, I don’t know why he chooses to fight with the group, we have tried to accommodate him. He is always doing the opposite. ‘Mr. Gana got someone to represent his son and we are still waiting for all his the documents the association asks him to summit.