NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

NSC boss pledges stakeholders’ inclusiveness in sports administration

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, has expressed the commissions’ commitment to the development of a vibrant sports economy in the country, in collaboration with stakeholders.

Dikko stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN).

He maintained that no critical stakeholder would be left behind in the pursuit of the commission’s vision.

According to him, the sports economy mandate is from President Bola Tinubu, and he has also instructed us to take sports development down to the grassroots.

“That is why he appointed a senior special assistant on grassroots sports development that works with us here in the commission.

“These mandates can only be actualised with the full involvement of all stakeholders.

“Forging an all-encompassing synergy with strategic stakeholders in the sports industry is also important.

“We don’t close our doors to stakeholders, it’s in such meetings we get suggestions that guide the steps we take.

“No crucial stakeholder will be left behind. All we need from you is to come to us just as you people have done.

“It is not necessary to run to the media when you can talk to us. We are open to further engagements to cross-fertilise ideas,” Dikko said.

He promised to revisit the former administration’s promise to include the group in the board of the sports federations.

The NSC boss also highlighted the immense contributions of women athletes in the nation’s sporting exploits.

According to him, women have always been our collaborators in winning medals and laurels in sports.

“We had agreed with the olympians that ex-internationals have to be part of our teams to major games.

“There are also plans to strengthen the commission’s zonal offices for efficient service delivery. The zones will be like the mini sports commissions, and

“We are going to have federal sports commissioners in the zones and we will task them on bringing talents from the zones. There is already provision for zonal offices in our budget.

“We are setting up the centers of excellence down to the local government areas, states and zones,” he explained.

Earlier, the AFFAN President, Toyin Aluko, commended Dikko for efforts to reposition the sports sector, while pledging the association’s support.

Aluko, a former athlete, expressed the association’s goal of becoming more visible to inspire young female athletes.

“I want to assure the NSC chairman that AFFAN is fully committed to the success of sports in Nigeria.

“The association is made up of retired female athletes who have brought glory to Nigeria during their active careers,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi

NSC pledges support for badminton development

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Director-General (D-G) of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to advancing badminton development in Nigeria.

Olopade made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja during a farewell visit to Team Nigeria’s camp, ahead of their departure for the 2025 All-African Senior Badminton Championship in Douala, Cameroon.

Olopade assured the athletes of NSC’s full support and encouraged them to make the country proud at the continental competition.

He also commended the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, and his team for their efforts in elevating the sport in Nigeria.

“For us at the NSC, and speaking on behalf of our chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, badminton has become a vital part of the Nigerian sports ecosystem.

“President Orbih and his leadership team have created a buzz around badminton, and it is evident in the success of athletes like Aanu (Anuoluwapo Opeyori) ,” Olopade said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian badminton team, comprising 10 players (five men and five women), will compete in the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles categories.

The championship will take place from February 10 to 16 in Douala.

Team Nigeria is led by Anuoluwapo Opeyori, the country’s number one player, who is set to defend his singles gold medal from 2024. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Abiemwense Moru

NSC pledges to prioritise athletes’ welfare

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

The National Sports Commission (NSC) says it will continue to implement policies that prioritise the welfare of Nigerian athletes.

NSC Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, gave the assurance in Abuja when a delegation from the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) paid him a courtesy visit.

Dikko outlined the Commission’s plans, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate, to improve the welfare of athletes.

“What I say to one, I say to all. You are here as representatives of Nigerian footballers, but I will address the needs of every Nigerian athlete across all sports.

“The welfare of athletes will not be compromised under this administration. We are already implementing strategies aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We will continue to prioritise the welfare of athletes, both past and present, and leverage sports as a tool for national unity, youth empowerment, and economic development,” he said.

The Chairman emphasised the importance of unity within the players’ union.

He stressed that factional interests must not overshadow the shared goal of advocating for the welfare of Nigerian football players and athletes in general.

“As far back as 2003, Tijani Babangida here can confirm, I had worked towards introducing a pension scheme for professional footballers and athletes in Nigeria.

“This vision remains critical under the current NSC agenda.

“There must be collaboration and solidarity among all stakeholders because a united sports sector is essential for achieving sustainable growth and success,” Dikko added.

The NSC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to fostering partnerships, implementing policies, and driving initiatives that will enhance the welfare and global competitiveness of Nigerian athletes.

Earlier, the President of PFAN and ex-International, Tijani Babangida, praised Dikko’s appointment and commended President Tinubu for entrusting the leadership of Nigerian sports to a seasoned technocrat.

Babangida urged the Chairman to address pressing issues, particularly the challenge of factionalism within the players’ union.

He assured him of their unwavering support as he implements transformational reforms in Nigerian sports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PFAN delegation included the Secretary-General, Edema Fuludu, as well as Clement Temile, Magaji Alhassan, and Rotimi Michaels. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Tinubu to revitalise sports economy through NSC – Dikko

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By Patrick Anaso

President Bola Tinubu has taken a significant step to elevate the nation’s sports sector by prioritising its professional management, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), to foster a sustainable sports economy.

Malam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of NSC, said this during a Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

Dikko said that by this arrangement, the government had initiated a shift from competition-focused, to development-driven strategies, aimed at ensuring commitment to grassroots sports development.

This, he said would help in identifying talents.

“With the government pledging to enhance infrastructure, including a high-performance centre and upgraded facilities, stakeholders across the sports community are urged to collaborate in this transformative vision,” he said.

According to Dikko, the key elements of this new approach will include dedicated budget provisions that will also benefit NOC for the first time in as many years.

“With the inclusion, NOC will be in a position to execute the building of its permanent headquarters in Abuja.

“The Committee will also be in a position to support the preparations ahead of the 2028 Olympics, and support the grassroots sports programmes too,” Dikko said.

The NSC Chairman said that the planned initiatives would also aim at not only creating jobs but would also reposition sports as a critical component of Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, ensuring a robust and thriving sports industry.

Mustapha Ibaraf, President, Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), on his part, said it had doubled its scholarship budget.

Ibaraf, who was represented at the virtual NOC AGM, by the Director of Finance in the establishment, Dr Jonathan Dyagas, said that more Nigerian athletes and other African athletes would receive scholarships ahead of the Los Angeles Games, LA28.

The ANOCA president said that the African Olympic body was happy that recipients of its previous scholarships made it to the Paris 2024 Games.

Earlier, Habu Gumel commended members of the Olympic family for attending the AGM even in virtual space

“The AGM is a statutory obligation as prescribed in the constitution of the NOC.”

He also commended the Executive Committee and the Board for sustaining the annual reunion of the family.

Gumel said that the AGM presented an opportunity to review the activities of the year and present an audited account of the NOC, as well as unveil plans and programmes over the next couple of years.

The focus of the upcoming years would include the Islamic Solidarity Games in October 2025 and the Youth Olympic Games to be staged from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.

“The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow in 2026, the African Games in 2027 before the Olympic Games of Los Angeles in 2028.

“The Youth Games are critical development events that will help to eliminate the recycling of old athletes for major Games due to a lack of challenges,” Gumel said.

According to Gumel the preceding Games are planned to ultimately hold before the Olympic Games in 2028 to help prepare nations for the ultimate Games of Olympiad.

He particularly welcomed on board, Shehu Dikko, the newly appointed Chairman of the NSC and the Director General, Dr Bukola Olopade, for attending the AGM.

Gumel also welcomed the presidents of Sports Direct Federations and other delegates that attended the meeting. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

NSC tasks federation presidents on transformative sports development

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, has charged Presidents of the various National Sports Federations on the need to transform sports development in the country.

Dikko stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a strategic meeting with Presidents and Secretaries of all the Sports Federations in the country.

He said the new vision of the NSC was to transform Nigerian sports industry into a sustainable sports economy in line with international best practices.

Dikko stressed the need for a strong synergy between the NSC and the Sports federations in taking sports to the next level.

“We believe we are all partners with the various Sports Federations, working together for the same goal — to reposition Nigerian sports.

“We came here with a clear mandate from Mr. President to get sports working again by building a sustainable sports economy.

“We can’t just measure our sports by participation in tournaments, but by its contributions to the entire economy, and that is the new mandate and direction,” Dikko said.

The NSC boss subsequently outlined a three-pillar strategy for Nigerian sports development: Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch.

“Our thinking is that competitions are basically consumption, while development is production.

“At the end of the day, we want the success of all of us to be measured by the development we put on the ground to get the sports growing and create value. Then we can move to the next level of competitions,” he said.

Dikko said plans were underway to establish a National Sports Development Fund and a National Sports Infrastructure Board through legislative Acts.

According to him, these structures are expected to provide a solid financial and infrastructural foundation to support sports development across the country.

Earlier, the Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, stressed the need for strategic reforms, emphasising the Commission’s commitment to athlete development and governance restructuring.

“One thing we have also worked on is getting a consultant to come work with the Commission. Mr Bambo Akani, Founder/CEO of Making of Champions will be our Consultant.

“He will work closely with the commission to develop a relationship with the elite athletes across all the Sports through the Elite Development and Podium Board,” Olopade said.

He also announced plans to establish a training fund for exceptional athletes, which would commence in February 2025.

He explained that the fund would ensure athletes received financial support for training well ahead of major competitions.

“Once we do that, we will start paying their training funds long before a major event. The days of athletes getting training grants at competition venues are gone,” he said.

Olapade said as part of plans to improve governance, all sports federations will now have a Chief Operating Officer who would act as marketing heads to raise funds for them.

Responding on behalf of the sports federations, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida, commended the NSC’s fresh approach to sports development.

He said the sports federations would work more closely with the NSC to reposition sports in the country.

“Having listened to the remarks of both the NSC Chairman and the D-G, there is a breath of fresh air.

“As Federation Presidents, we are already seeing solutions coming for the country’s sports,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

My priority is to develop viable sports economy—-Dikko

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By Muhyideen Jimoh

Newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko says his priority is to develop a viable and lucrative Sports economy for the nation.

Dikko stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when the former Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh formally handed over to him at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium office, Abuja.

The chairman  said  that his mission was not to engage in quick fix or just winning medals for the country, but a holistic sports development in line with international best practices.

”The objective of Mr President is to harness the full potentials of the Sports Economy in Nigeria.

”So we have to first change our mindset from the fixation of just competitions and winning medals and come back and fix our domestic sports development”.

”When we set the foundation right the results and the winning of medals will naturally come in a sustainable manner and that should be the new mindset,” he said.

Dikko said part of his mission was to ensure that sports becomes a money-spinner and contributes at least three per cent to the nation’s GDP in the next four years.

”The thinking of Mr President is that after  having some of these structures in place, we should be able to measure the country’s sports by its contribution to the nation’s GDP by at least three per cent.

“We should also be able to measure the number of jobs sports and its value chain are providing in the country in the next  four to five years and indeed our competitiveness across all competitions and tournaments,” he said.

The former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) second vice president, said he would focus on three pillars of proper legal framework, world class infrastructure and using sports to drive the economy.

“Our administration will be focused  on three pillars including running sports as a national asset, that is entitled to special privileges, regulations and concessions to drive growth and development.

”We have to also work on legislations and regulations so as to set the framework to enable the industry to grow effectively like what happened in the communications industry some years back”.

”The other Pillar is investing in purposeful world class infrastructure that will provide an enabling environment for growth,” he said.

Dikko called on all stakeholders to support the  new NSC in its drive to reposition and transform sports development in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu on Oct. 23 appointed Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

This was after the president scraped the Ministry of Sports Development and had its functions transferred to the Commission in order to revitalise the nation’s sports economy and improve performance in international competitions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

New NSC boss pledges to transform sports sector

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By Muhyideen Jimoh
Newly appointed National Sports Commission Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko has pledged to establish a robust framework for the transformation of sports in Nigeria.
Dikko disclosed this after a closed door meeting  with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the immediate past Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, on Friday in Abuja.
Dikko said that the meeting was part of early consultations and groundwork aimed at transforming the sports sector in line with international best practices.
“The meeting is part of early groundwork to establish a robust framework aimed at transforming Nigeria’s sports landscape into a sustainable sports economy, ”  Dikko said.
He stressed the need for all stakeholders to rally behind the NSC so as to to achieve the Commission’s mandate and elevate Nigerian sports.
“This new direction is expected to boost professionalism, create economic opportunities, and enhance sports infrastructure and development across the country.
“The united front of all stakeholders is essential in achieving the ambitious goals of the NSC and take Nigerian sports to unprecedented heights,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday appointed Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
This was after the president scraped the Ministry of Sports Development and had its functions transferred to the Commission in order to develop a vibrant sports economy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited Joseph Edeh
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