Sports
NSC Swiftly Activates ‘Adopt-an-Athlete’ Training Grant Initiative To Support Brume After Car Crash
…commends Confetti Assets Limited for partnership and support
By Joel Ajayi
National Sports Commission ,NSC, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has activated the Adopt-an-Athlete Training Grant initiative with its first recipient being Nigerian track and field star, Ese Brume, following her recent involvement in a ghastly car accident.
Speaking at an event to mark the partnership with Confetti Assets Limited, the NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko commended Confetti Assets Limited for its generous support. He reiterated the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive sports development in Nigeria through a sustainable Public Private Partnership ,PPP, model.
“We must create a system that does not solely depend on government funding but rather leverages private sector partnerships to achieve a thriving sports economy”, Dikko said.
On his part , the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to athlete welfare and development.
“While we were strategizing, something unfortunate happened to Ese Brume. She was involved in a ghastly motor accident, but to God be the glory, her life was spared”, Olopade said.
“When we spoke, I asked her what I could tell the Chairman to do for her immediately.
She made me proud when she said, ‘All I need right now is whatever the Commission can give me as a training grant to help me buy a small vehicle so I can continue my training because I want to win the World Championship in September next year.’ That touched me deeply”, Olopade said.
The DG explained that the Commission has activated an innovative approach to raising funds for athlete development, elite sports, and grassroots initiatives.
“We have an ingenious way of raising funds through donations. With the Chairman’s approval, we approached key stakeholders, particularly contractors involved in developing sports infrastructure nationwide. We told them it was time they started donating to a fund dedicated to grassroots development, elite athletes, and federations”, he revealed.
“Confetti Assets Limited and Faisa were the first to support this initiative, and today, we are here to celebrate these patriotic Nigerians who understand Mr. President’s vision and the mandate of our Chairman. We want to ensure that, in the near future, our athletes will have no excuse to say they were not supported”, Olopade added.
The Director-General described the moment as symbolic, as it marked the official rollout of the Adopt-the-Athlete initiative under the new NSC, with Brume as its first beneficiary.
“Today is very significant as we collect the first training grant for the first athlete in a program we plan to launch fully in February 2025. And that first athlete is none other than Ese Brume, arguably one of the most decorated athletes Nigeria has ever produced”, Olopade declared.
On his part, the Chairman of Confetti Assets Limited, Mr. Benjamin Jonathan Ngoka, expressed his commitment to the initiative, pledging continued support for Nigeria’s sports sector.
“We are happy to key into this new vision for Nigerian sports. We understand the mandate of the National Sports Commission and will continue to play our part in supporting athletes and the broader vision of sports development,” Ngoka said.
The Adopt-the-Athlete initiative aims to provide financial support for Nigerian athletes’ training and development, ensuring they have the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of global sports.
With the backing of strategic partners like Confetti Assets Limited, the initiative is expected to significantly impact the careers of elite and grassroots athletes alike.
Sports
X-Raying NSC DG’s Remark: “All Sports and Federations Hold Equal Importance” – Hon. Bukola Olopade
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, once again reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that all sports federations in Nigeria are treated with equal importance. This renewed emphasis was a key highlight during a recent meeting with sports federation presidents and secretaries, where Olopade made it clear that no sport would be treated with levity under his leadership.
While it is widely acknowledged that some sports enjoy greater popularity than others, Olopade’s stance signals a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s sports administration. Since assuming office, he has made concerted efforts to demonstrate his inclusive approach. From attending cricket games and athletics events to gracing polo tournaments, Olopade’s actions underscore his belief that every sport deserves recognition and support. He has also been vocal about embracing eSports, a rapidly growing sector in the global sports industry, promising to provide it with the leverage needed to thrive in Nigeria.
“All sports must be carried along and given equal attention for them to excel,” Olopade stated during the meeting. His words have been backed by visible actions, offering a fresh sense of hope to sports stakeholders across the country. Many believe that this holistic approach will create a more inclusive sports ecosystem where every athlete and sport receives the attention it deserves.
Beyond the rhetoric, the NSC’s leadership has taken concrete steps to operationalize this vision. One of the Commission’s most significant moves is the proposal to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive its operations and open up economic opportunities. According to Olopade, the COO’s role will be pivotal in fostering the growth of Nigeria’s sports economy, a sector that holds immense potential for job creation, youth development, and economic diversification.
“The COO will play a key role in the growth of the nation’s sports economy,” Olopade remarked, highlighting the strategic importance of this new position. This move is seen as a bold step toward a more structured and economically viable sports sector, with a clear focus on maximizing the potential of Nigeria’s sports industry.
The NSC’s strategy is also geared towards improving athlete welfare and upgrading sports infrastructure across the country. According to Olopade, there is a renewed sense of prioritization in these areas. He noted that the Commission’s efforts would soon begin to yield tangible results.
Sports stakeholders have welcomed these developments with optimism. Athletes, coaches, and sports administrators believe that a level playing field for all sports will lead to better opportunities for lesser-known sports to gain visibility and recognition. The appointment of a COO is also seen as a move toward a more business-oriented approach, with the potential to attract private sector investment and enhance the commercial viability of sports in Nigeria.
The journey is still in its early stages, but the nation is enveloped with strong belief that the sports sector is getting it right this time. Olopade characterized by his all-inclusive vision and strategic reforms, has given the sports community a renewed sense of hope. By fostering unity among federations and promoting equal importance for all sports, the NSC is setting a new standard for sports administration in Nigeria.
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