Joel Ajayi

…Calls for collective collaboration to build robust sports economy

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new mandate aimed at transforming Nigerian sports into a sustainable sports economy.

The detailed vision-unveiling was led by the leadership of the NSC during a strategic meeting with Presidents and Secretaries of various Sports Federations, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The meeting marked the first official engagement between the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade with federation leaders following institutional changes in Nigeria’s Sports sector.

Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko emphasized the shared vision between the NSC and Sports Federations, stressing the importance of partnership in driving growth and sustainability in Nigerian sports.

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

“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,” he added.

To achieve this vision, Dikko outlined a three-pillar strategy for Nigerian sports: 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 explained.

He further revealed ongoing plans to establish a National Sports Development Fund and a National Sports Infrastructure Board through legislative acts. These structures are expected to provide a solid financial and infrastructural foundation to support sports development across the country.

Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade echoed the Chairman’s call for strategic reforms, emphasizing the NSC’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, working closely with the Commission to develop a relationship with the elite athletes across all the Sports through the Elite Development and Podium Board,” Olopade revealed.

He announced plans to establish a training fund for exceptional athletes, which will commence in February 2025. The fund will ensure athletes receive 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,” Olopade stated.

He also emphasized the NSC’s efforts to improve governance within Sports Federations by introducing a corporate governance structure and appointing marketing-driven Chief Operating Officers (COOs). He applauded the Nigeria Rugby Federation for leading this effort with the appointment of Babatunde Adeluola as its COO.

Olopade further revealed that the NSC is making significant strides in tapping into the lucrative eSports industry, which is valued at millions of dollars globally.

“We are also working on tapping into the millions of dollars in the eSports industry, and very soon, the Federation of eSports will be well-structured to join the league of Nigerian sports federations,” Olopade disclosed.

On the part of the sports federations, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Kida, commended the NSC’s fresh approach to sports development.

“Having listened to the remarks of both the NSC Chairman and the DG, there is a breath of fresh air. As Federation Presidents, we are already seeing solutions coming for the country’s sports,” Kida stated.

With a renewed focus on collaboration, sustainability, and economic development, the NSC is determined to redefine Nigeria’s sports sector, shifting from mere participation in tournaments to creating a thriving, self-sustaining sports economy.

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