By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, has called on sports officers across the country to align with the Commission’s renewed vision to transform the sector.

Dikko gave the charge  while declaring open a two-day capacity-building workshop for sports officers organised by the NSC in Abuja on Tuesday.

The workshop, with the theme “Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch the Nigerian Sports Sector for Greater Performance,” aims to create a more vibrant and economically viable sports industry in the country.

He stressed the importance of collective responsibility and commitment in achieving the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE).

 “You are the fundamental key drivers of this vision. If you fail to align, the task becomes much more difficult.

“You are among the most competent, forward-thinking, and valuable assets within the Commission. If we work together, success is guaranteed,” he said.

The NSC boss reiterated the importance of returning to grassroots sports development as a foundation for international success.

He emphasised the need to key into the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of the “Nigeria First” policy, which pioritises the development of internal capacity and local services.

“For the first time, the commission has a targeted budget focused on delivering the right infrastructure to enable you to perform better.

 “We are working on the concessioning of facilities in Lagos, Kaduna, Ibadan, and Bauchi to ensure they are fully optimised,” he said.

Dikko  commended the Secretaries-General of the various Sports Federations for their efforts but,  urged them to push their respective federations to be more responsive and results-driven.

“We must change the negative narrative about the commission. We aim to create three to four million jobs through sports,” he added.

Earlier, the Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, urged the sports officers to adopt a proactive approach and work as a unified team to achieve greater results.

“As stakeholders of this commission, you must be bold, proactive, and never allow yourselves to be intimidated.

“The commission is fully behind you,” Olopade said.

The Director, Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), NSC, Olumide Bamiduro, said the workshop was designed to recognise and empower the officers, who are the key drivers of the sector.

“Your diligence and hard work are crucial for the progress of sports in Nigeria.

“I encourage you to take full advantage of this retreat to implement the commission’s new policies and vision,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had sessions on “21st Century High Performance Management Strategies for Podium Success in Sports”.

The sports officers were also engaged in sessions such as ‘Mastering Communication Excellence” and “Remodelling Sports Governance and Development in Nigeria”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Joseph Edeh