Sports

NSC Mulls Inclusion of Foreign-Based Athletes in Future Sports Festivals

Published

4 months ago

May 26, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) is considering the inclusion of foreign-based Nigerian athletes in subsequent editions of the National Sports Festival (NSF), in a bid to raise the standard and showcase the country’s full athletic potential.

Chairman of the Commission, Shehu Dikko, disclosed this on Sunday in Abeokuta while addressing journalists covering the ongoing 22nd edition of the biennial sports fiesta.

According to Dikko, the primary goal of the festival goes beyond just winning medals—it is about creating a platform to discover and showcase Nigeria’s top sporting talents.

“Looking ahead, we’re considering inviting our best athletes, including those in the diaspora, for future festivals,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s not just about winning; it’s about giving our talents the platform to shine.”

He added that the commission would use data from the festival to benchmark athlete performance against continental and global standards.

“When we assess results from this festival, we’ll compare them with African and world records to help set clear benchmarks,” Dikko said. “During the University Games trials at the University of Lagos, for instance, the final report featured three columns: the winner’s result, the African record, and the world record. That gave us useful perspective.”

He stressed that the origin of athletes should not be a barrier to participation, emphasizing that talent, commitment, and performance are the most important factors.

“It doesn’t matter where an athlete is based. What matters is what they bring to the table,” he noted. “With the right training, support, and publicity, they can excel and make the nation proud.”

Dikko also highlighted the unifying power of sports, stating that it remains one of the country’s most valuable national assets.

“Sports transcends its economic value—it unites us. It doesn’t matter where you’re from; once you’re involved, you’re part of the family,” he said.

He added that some states might have more athletes but limited resources to register in all events, which in turn creates healthy competition and encourages other states to raise their game.

“That’s the beauty of the system,” he concluded

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Sports

NVBF President, Engr Nimrod Urges Families to Embrace Healthy Living at HOBA Novelty Sports

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has called on Nigerian families to adopt healthy living habits through regular participation in sporting and fitness activities.

Nimrod made the call on Sunday during the third edition of the Hoba Development Association, Abuja Chapter, novelty sports event held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He noted that physical activities such as sports are vital to fostering family bonds, community interaction, and overall well-being.

“The rate of health-related incidents such as slumping is increasing, but regular exercise helps improve the health of both parents and children,” he said. “Events like this bring families together, allowing parents and children to interact and know each other better.”

Also speaking, the stand-in Chairman of the Hoba Community, Barrister Nathan Naandeti, highlighted the significance of the annual novelty games, describing them as a unifying platform for members of the community.

“It’s something we do every year to promote unity, togetherness, and fitness among our people. Sports is part of who we are,” he stated.

Men, women, and children from the Hoba community participated in various sporting activities, including volleyball, badminton, football, and aerobics—all aimed at encouraging relaxation, fitness, and bonding among families.

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