NSC CHAIRMAN MEETS LEADERS OF SPORTS FEDERATIONS TO CHART NEW COURSE FOR NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko flanked to his right by the DG NSC, Hon. Bukola Olapade and the Senior Special  Assistant to the President of Grassroots Sports, and to his left by the President NOC Habu Gumel during the maiden meeting of thr National Sports Federation Presidents & Secretaries at the Media Centre, MKO International Stadium , Abuja.

“The President’s decision to prioritize sports was both timely and strategic. It is now up to us to deliver on his vision of making sports a key driver of economic development in Nigeria,” Dikko.

.... Calls for a shift in focus from sports as mere competition to sports as an industry.

A meeting of Presidents, Secretaries, of various Sports Federations across the country has been convened by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko. The meeting is aimed at strategizing on how best to unlock the economic potential of sports in Nigeria. 

The meeting, held at the Media Centre, Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, aligns with the federal government’s policy to position sports as a tool for national economic growth.

A statement from the office of the Director, Information and Public Relations Unit of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Kehinde Ajayi reveals.

In his address during the meeting, the Chairman emphasized on "the need to reset our thinking on the role of sports beyond competitions and medals."

Dikko stressed the importance of creating a sports economy that can generate jobs, engage restless youths, and contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP.

“The President’s decision to prioritize sports was both timely and strategic. It is now up to us to deliver on his vision of making sports a key driver of economic development in Nigeria,” Dikko stated.

The Chairman called for a shift in focus from sports as mere competition to sports as an industry, citing its potential to be one of the highest employers of labor.

Dikko reiterated the need for proper regulation, infrastructure development, and sustainable funding to achieve these goals.

“All over the world, the value of sports is measured by its contribution to the economy. We must adopt this approach and create a system that supports grassroots development, talent discovery, and long-term planning,” he added.

The Chairman highlighted the President's move to revive the National Sports Commission, describing it as a game-changer in achieving these objectives. According to him, the NSC’s role goes beyond competition, encompassing infrastructure development, arbitration systems for dispute resolution, and frameworks for early talent identification and podium preparation.

Dikko urged prospective candidates for Sports Federation leadership positions to prioritize grassroots sports development and demonstrate tangible contributions to domestic programs. He warned that the upcoming elections will not follow the usual patterns and emphasized that leadership positions will require competence and commitment.

“The Commission is not interested in personalities but in individuals who can bring value and expertise to the table. Leadership in sports federations must focus on results, not titles,” he affirmed

The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olapade in his opening remarks  stressed the importance of private and public sector collaboration in funding sports development. 

The DG revealed that several organizations have expressed interest in supporting Nigerian athletes, citing the adoption of world-class athlete, Ese Brume by a private sponsor until her retirement from sports.

Olapade announced plans to appoint Chief Operating Officers (COOs) to each Sports Federation to collaborate with Secretaries in driving funding initiatives. 

The DG applauded the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) for recognizing E Sports as an official federation.  He noted that it's a move to provide more opportunities for youth engagement and economic empowerment.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reinstating the NSC, which he believes will accelerate sports development in the country. 

Engr. Gumel advised Dikko to initiate early preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and urged federations to leverage on the ANOCA Scholarship for athlete sponsorship.

“This is a crucial time for Nigerian sports. The NSC must put systems in place to ensure our athletes are well-prepared and adequately supported for future global competitions,” Gumel stated.

The meeting came to a conclusion with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards transforming Nigerian sports into a thriving industry that contributes to economic growth and national development.