Hon. Bukola Olopade - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Tue, 2025

Sports

NSC DG tasks SWAN on sports development

157 total views today

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has urged the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to intensify efforts in fostering sports development in the country.

Olopade gave the charge on Tuesday in Abeokuta after a novelty match organised by SWAN for media professionals at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Gateway Games.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highly entertaining game at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena pitched the Northern sports journalists against their Southern counterparts.

The well attended symbolic football game was put together to promote unity and celebrate the vital role of sports journalism in national development.

Olopade who played the first half for the Southern team, switched to play for the Northern team in the second half in a show of unity and camaraderie.

The northern team eventually edged the tight contest 1-0, sealing the win with a slick team goal after the break.

The NSC DG, whose presence added colour and glamour to the game, said he was delighted to take part in what he described as a ‘very competitive’ novelty match.

“I had fun. Of all the novelty matches I’ve attended, this has been the most exciting. I witnessed a strong spirit of unity and togetherness among members,” he said.

Olopade used the occasion to rally sports journalists’ on the need to keep the spotlight on tournaments like the NSF and drive the narrative around sports development in Nigeria.

”Sports is life. It should not be relegated to the back pages or the end of news bulletins.

”Sports journalism is a vital pillar for the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry, and we will continue to partner with SWAN to harness the power of sports for national unity and development,” he said.

The Director General, National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade during the game

The DG in his usual supportive style gave match bonuses to the two teams, stressing the importance of physical fitness to productivity.

The SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, in his remarks, thanked the DG for the support and bringing innovation to the sports industry.

He assured that sports writers would continue to maintain professionalism and play vital roles in driving the growth of the sports industry.

NAN reports that the NSF, which started on May 16 will wrap up on Thursday with a highly anticipated closing and final medal presentation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Deborah Coker

Gateway Games sparks adire fabric boom— NSC DG

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Wed, 2025

Sports

Gateway Games sparks adire fabric boom— NSC DG

222 total views today

By Yetunde Fatungase

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade says the financial gains of the 22nd National Sports Festival cannot be overemphasised

He revealed that thousands pieces of adire fabrics have been sold since the beginning of the festival, adding that vendors had ran out of stocks.

He said that the festival was steadily improving the financial prosperity of vendors and residents of the state.

Olopade added that over 300 vendors were operating in each of the venues.

“How do I begin to aggregate in dollars, the value of that opening ceremony that was seen in more than 50 countries.

“Let’s talk about the naira and kobo, over 300 small scale businesses are operating inside the stadium.

“We have sold thousands pieces of adire; we have more demands than supply. Hotels are making business

“These are the benefits of hosting a sports festival; it opens more doors for business opportunities,” he said.

Olopade commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun for raising the bar in terms of infrastructure development and athletes’ welfare.

He said no fewer than 9,040 athletes were accredited, whose feeding and welfare are being handled effectively.

“We need to be scored very high. In the last 20 years, this is the festival that athletes will get to their hostels and get their foods and other things they need.

“With joy and pride, everything is going on at Babcock, where the athletes are housed, I can categorically say that the standard is very high,” Olopade said.

He urged journalists and people of the state to visit some of the venues to watch the games.

The festival which began on May 16 will end on May 30.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

NSF: 9,040 athletes, officials accredited for Gateway Games —- Olopade

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Wed, 2025

Sports

NSF: 9,040 athletes, officials accredited for Gateway Games —- Olopade

229 total views today

By Peter Amine

The Director-General (DG), National Sports Commission ( NSC), Bukola Olopade, says that a total of 9,040 athletes and officials have been accredited for the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun.

Olopade made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abeokuta while addressing newsmen on the commission’s efforts to ensure a successful festival.

The DG said that the accredited athletes and officials were accommodated at Babcock University.

He described the participation of the states in the games as impressive.

Olopade said that the quality of games had improved compared to previous editions.

“In the last 20 years, this is the festival that athletes will get to their hostel and get their food.

“With joy and pride, things are going on well with the hostel and feeding.

“I just returned from Sagamu and Babcock; the standard of play is very high. Kaduna vs Niger basketball was top-notch.

“Visit the centres to enjoy this festival; Niger vs Kano in handball was superb too.

“I saw three London-based boxers representing Kaduna, and this has demonstrated impressive improvement from other editions,” he said.

Olopade, who is the Chairman of Local Organising Committee( LOC), commended the Ogun Government for its efforts towards hosting the best biennial sports festival.

According to him, the opening ceremony was applauded globally. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Muhyideen Jimoh
Apr, Wed, 2025

Sports

NSC DG tasks sports federations’ secretaries on innovative approach

235 total views today

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade has charged Secretary Generals of various Sports Federations to have an innovative approach in the discharge of their duties.

Olopade gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja at a strategic meeting with all the various Secretaries of the National Sports Federations.

” I must first of all say that am very impressed with the professional qualities of all of you.

“You all are some of the best Sports brains we have in this country and we are proud to have you”.

” But as we know there is always room for improvement and that is why I have called for this meeting to spur you for bigger challenges ahead”.

” An Innovative mind is very vital for growth, therefore I am challenging your intelligent minds to look inwards and come up with concepts that will enhance your output and the qualities of the Federations,” he said.

The DG also reiterated the Commission’s Reset, Refocus and Relaunch mandate to the secretaries and the need for them to apply it in the organisation of their activities, especially at regards athletes welfare.

” The welfarism of Nigerian athletes is of utmost importance to the Commission and that is why we established the Elite and Podium board which we have started seeing their work in the area of grading our top athletes for different categories of Training Grants.

” And it is therefore important for the various Secretary Generals to know that the way we fly and dress our athletes for international competitions is also very important in high performance,’ he said.

Olopade said that all top Nigerian athletes will now fly business class for international competitions as part of the Commission’s welfare package and in line with international best practices.

“All our top Athletes in Category A of the Podium Board rankings will no longer fly anything less than a business class for International Competitions.

“No more jamboree travelling but we must scientifically look at the way we run our sports for high performance results,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh