Sports

NSC DG Olopade Advocates for a Unified Supporters Club for the Interests of Sports

Published

10 months ago

December 3, 2024

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade, has advocated for unity amongst the various groups of Supporters Club in Nigeria, in other to amplify their continuous support for the various National Sports Teams.

Olopade made this appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club, led by its President, Abayomi Ogunjimi.

Commending Ogunjimi’s dedication and passion for supporting Nigeria’s national teams, Olopade highlighted the impressive contributions of the Authentic Nigeria Supporters Club since its inception.

I am honoured for this show of love and support that is coming from the Authentic Supporters Club, especially the President, Abayomi Ogunjimi. The National Sports Commission, under the Chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko and myself as the DG, will always be there to support the activities of the Supporters Club,” Olopade said.

He emphasized the need for all factions of the Nigeria Supporters Club to come together under a single banner for greater impact.

“This is the more reason why I am charging all the various groups of the Supporters to come together in one voice so that you all can be on the same page, singing one song at the stadium. And I would also love to see that the Supporters Club is not only for football but all the various sports because other sports apart from football need to enjoy that sense of support,” he added.

In his remarks, Ogunjimi underscored the importance of stakeholder support for the NSC’s mission to transform Nigerian sports. He praised the leadership of the NSC for its vision and commitment to revamping the sector.

“Nigerian sports can never remain the same again with the appointment of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade as Chairman and Director General of the National Sports Commission. I have no doubt the two of them are the best hands to revamp Nigerian sports,” Ogunjimi stated.

During the visit, Ogunjimi presented the DG with a jersey and a framed photograph of the club as a token of appreciation.

Hon. Olopade averred that the call for unity and collaboration signals a new era of synergy-focused actions, aimed at elevating the nation’s sports sector across all boards.

Share on Facebook

Sports

FAME Foundation to the World: Para Athletes Need Empowerment, Not Sympathy

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
The founder of FAME Foundation (Female Advocacy, Mentoring, and Empowerment), Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, has called on the global community to support, not pity, para athletes.

Speaking at the recently concluded Play the Game 2025 Conference held in Tampere, Finland, Atoyebi emphasized that athletes with physical challenges require empowerment, policy support, and inclusion not sympathy.

Aderonke, a fearless journalist and lifelong advocate for women and girls in sports, has consistently championed the rights of marginalized groups through her foundation.

Known for her bold and passionate advocacy, she reiterated that para athletes deserve the same opportunities and resources as their able-bodied counterparts.

The international conference, held from October 5th to 8th, brought together journalists, policymakers, and global stakeholders to discuss pressing issues under the theme: “Breaking Barriers in Sports: Integration of Marginalized Groups and Persons with Disabilities.”

Delivering a powerful and interactive lecture, Atoyebi stated: “I want to conclude by saying that para athletes around the globe need our support, policy reviews, and implementation—not our pity. They don’t need sympathy; what they truly need is empowerment.”

Her impactful contribution at the event further amplified Africa’s voice in the global call for inclusion, equality, and policy-driven change in the world of sports.

Share on Facebook