Sports

NSC Appointment: Mahanaim FC Felicitates with Mallam Shehu Dikko

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

The management and staff of Mahanaim FC congratulate the new sports supremo in Nigeria, Mallam Shehu Dikko on his appointment as the Chairman National Sports Commission.

In a statement signed on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Communications- Mahanaim FC Olaoluwa Aro said Mallam Dikko’s appointment to chair the NSC by President Bola Tinubu is a worthy one that illustrates his wealth of experience in a sector he has nutured for more than 20-years.

Mallam Dikko is a well grounded professional in our sports sector. He is someone whose expertise traverse every component that make up a working system needed for a functional sports sector. Working closely with him, one can see that his dedication to achieving results is second to none.

We believe Mallam Shehu Dikko’s appointment will open up a new era that will stimulate the ecosystem and this simply means, all sectors within sports will benefit greatly.

Everyone at Mahanaim FC warmly congratulate Mallam Shehu Dikko and wish him all the best on this new task.

Prior to this latest appointment as head of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko had chaired the Nigeria Professional Football League board for eight years with remarkable achievements.

Dikko was also the 2nd Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation,(NFF) between 2014 and 2022. He is a member of the FIFA football stakeholders committee, a senior match commissioner of the Confederation of African Football,(CAF).

Shehu Dikko started out as a sports consultant many years ago. He was the Nigerian manager of the FIFA goal project and was previously instrumental in bringing top European football clubs for Preseason tours into our dear country, Nigeria.

We believe his experiences in this sector have more than prepared him for a successful stint as headship of sports in Nigeria.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Badminton Federation of Nigeria Targets Grassroots Growth, Coaches’ Capacity Building

Published

14 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, says the federation has launched an ambitious reform programme anchored on structured planning, grassroots development, and long-term athlete progression across all levels of the sport.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, after two-day retreat at ANOCA building where board members, technical experts, and stakeholders gathered under the theme: Repositioning Badminton for Sustainable Growth’ gathered to chart a way forward for the Game.

Orbih said the sessions were designed to align stakeholders on a unified four-year strategic roadmap focused on improving governance, strengthening performance systems, and expanding participation nationwide.

He noted that key priorities discussed include technical development, coaching education, athlete welfare, and a more coordinated grassroots structure through school-based programmes.

According to him, the federation has approved the creation of 11 committees to drive implementation of its reforms, with emphasis on accountability, coordination, and measurable performance outcomes.

“We wanted a collective approach where decisions are jointly owned and implemented, with clear and measurable results.

‘’A major pillar of the plan is grassroots badminton development, particularly in schools.’’

He explained that while outreach programmes have existed, the federation is now shifting toward a more structured and data-driven approach with wider national coverage.

Orbih disclosed that the federation currently reaches an average of 25 to 30 schools per zonal outreach programme, but plans are underway to expand coverage across more states and increase consistency of engagement.

He also highlighted gaps in coaching capacity, noting that the number of certified coaches in Nigeria remains relatively low compared to other countries. The federation, he said, will intensify coaching education and certification programmes to close the gap and improve technical standards.

“We have over 100 coaches in Nigeria, but many are not actively engaged in continuous training. We want to strengthen that system and raise the standard,” he added.

The BFN president further confirmed the introduction of structured age-grade development pathways, covering under-12, under-15, under-19, and other youth categories to ensure seamless progression from grassroots to elite level.

President added that, federation plans to organise more age-group tournaments to sustain player development and improve competitive exposure.

Speaking also, the Technical Director of the federation, Tunde Kashim, also emphasised that the technical department remains central to the reform agenda, describing it as the “engine room” of badminton development in the country.

He said the department is reviewing player databases, coaching structures, and competition pathways to ensure a stronger performance system.

Kashim added that efforts will be made to upgrade coaching levels across the country, including progression through certification tiers, while also addressing the declining number of active coaches in the system.

He further revealed plans to expand youth competitions across multiple age categories, including under-12, under-15, under-16, and under-19 levels, aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline from schools to elite competition.

According to him, the federation is also working with state stakeholders to improve facilities and increase participation, while preparing for upcoming national and continental engagements.

Share on Facebook