Sports

Capt Ayoade Showcases 4-Year Gains of Shooting Federation, Eyes Nigeria’s Rise

Published

7 days ago

September 28, 2025

Joel Ajayi

South West Representative of the Nigeria Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) and Presidential Aspirant, Capt (NN) OB Ayoade, has unveiled a comprehensive account of the federation’s progress under his leadership from 2021 to 2025. In a personally signed statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Capt. Ayoade outlined the achievements as a “Track Record of Service, Sacrifice, and Structure,” while pledging to raise the bar even higher if entrusted with the mandate to lead the federation as President.

According to the statement, Distinguished Senior Officers, Esteemed Board Members, and Honourable Secretary,I respectfully present this stewardship report with deep gratitude for the trust bestowed upon me to serve the Nigeria Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF). Over the past four years, we have transitioned from dormancy to direction — setting a clear course toward global competitiveness.

Key Achievements: Building the Foundation for Olympic Qualification. Pioneering Participation & Talent Discovery

NYG Ilorin 2021: Self-funded and successfully executed. Converted a university lecture hall into a functional shooting range. Discovered two promising female athletes from Kano.

ASSF AGM in Cairo: Personally covered costs to attend and intervened to prevent Nigeria’s suspension over unpaid affiliation dues. Cleared 3 years of arrears and deposited $3,000 to secure ongoing participation and Egyptian cooperation.

ISSF Representation: Funded NSSF athlete participation in: ISSF World Cups (Egypt 2021 & 2022, Baku 2023) African Championships (Egypt 2023)

High-Impact Development Initiatives, Personally funded: Recruitment of two foreign coaches. Domestic and international athlete camps (20+ in Abuja, 8 in Egypt). ISSF affiliation fees for 2023–2024. €20,000 worth of equipment secured (Nov 2024).

National shooting clinic with Col. Ahmed (2022) and Training and enlightenment programs in Plateau State. Athlete Performance Trends: Rifle athletes achieving scores above 595, approaching Olympic MQS level. Pistol talents climbing, with top national score at 540+. Foundation laid — the next mission: conversion to MQS and Olympic quotas.

2025–2028 Vision: Qualify Nigeria for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Roadmap: Preparation – MQS -Quota – Olympics; A. Yearly High-Performance Camps

24 weeks of training annually (12-week blocks or continuous). Integrated team: head coaches (rifle/pistol), strength & conditioning, physio, psychologist, nutritionist, certified armourer.

Weekly match simulations and transparent performance tracking.

Coaching & Talent Pathways

Retain international coaches and upskill Nigerian coaches via ISSF certification. Selection purely score-based with clear benchmarks and an independent appeals process.

Competition Strategy: Consistent starts at ISSF World Cups, Grand Prix, African Championships. Pre-event warm-up competitions 6–8 weeks ahead. Launch Nigeria Grand Prix on Electronic Target Systems (ETS) to simulate elite match conditions.

Infrastructure & Equipment: Expand ETS to Delta State and other regional hubs. Centralized firearms/ammunition management with trained armourers.

Funding & Transparent Governance: Blend of NSC/NOC, ISSF grants, CSR partnerships, and state/institutional support. Transparent budgeting with quarterly reporting and protected travel funds for athletes.

First 180 Days (Post Re-Election): Launch full 2025–2028 calendar and publish MQS benchmarks. Appoint LA28 MQS squad and alternates. Start Camp Block 1; finalize international coaching contracts.Commission two new ETS hubs and certify two more armourers. Host Nigeria Grand Prix #1 and secure at least 2 international starts for core athletes andImplement athlete dashboards and publish quarterly KPIs.

Target Metrics by 2028: 6+ athletes at MQS level by end of 2026; 10+ by 2027, 3 ETS ranges by mid-2026, 5+ by 2028, 8+ international starts per core athlete per year,20+ ISSF-certified Nigerian coaches by 2027

Why Re-Elect Capt Ayoade? Continuity That Converts. Over the last four years, I have personally invested in athletes, coaches, international dues, equipment, and camps — not just to maintain the Federation, but to move it forward. The experience, networks, and systems built are now ready to be scaled for Olympic qualification.

Nigeria is no longer on the sidelines. With your continued support, we will take our shot on the world stage.

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Sports

Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish

Published

1 hour ago

October 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.

The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.

“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.

Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.

“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.

To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.

“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.

The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.

Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.

“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.

Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.

“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”

Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.

“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.

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