Sports
NOC Urges Ex-Female Athletes, Women in Sports to Boost Participation in Sports
Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has intensified efforts to promote gender inclusion in sports governance with the inauguration of a Sports Administration Course (SAC) targeted at former female athletes and women serving on National Sports Federation boards.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NOC President, Engr. Habu Gumel, described the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen women’s roles in leadership and decision-making within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
The programme, organised in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity, is designed to equip participants with essential knowledge in leadership, strategic planning, financial management, ethics, and organisational development.
Gumel noted that the course aligns with the global educational framework of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with content drawn from the IOC Sports Administration Course manual to ensure international standards and best practices.
“This course represents a significant step in our collective commitment to strengthening the role of women in sports leadership and governance in Nigeria,” he said, urging participants to actively engage, share experiences, and build networks that will enhance their impact in sports administration.
He further commended the facilitators, including IOC-certified course directors, as well as the organising team, for their dedication to delivering a high-quality programme that fosters professional growth and collaboration among women in sports.
In her remarks, President of the Former Female Athletes Association of Nigeria and President of the Netball Federation, Dr. Toyin Aluko, described the initiative as a major step toward closing the gender gap in sports leadership.
According to her, the course was conceived in response to the historically low participation of women in previous training programmes, stressing the need for a more inclusive and targeted approach.
“This initiative will empower women with the knowledge and confidence to take up leadership roles in coaching, administration, and decision-making within sports federations,” she said.
Dr. Aluko highlighted the importance of increasing the number of female coaches and administrators, noting that it would inspire more female athletes to transition into leadership roles after their active careers.
She also pointed to global progress in gender balance, particularly at the Olympic level, while urging sustained efforts locally to achieve at least 45 percent female representation in sports governance.
She commended ongoing reforms by the National Sports Commission aimed at improving female inclusion but stressed that more deliberate actions are needed to ensure balanced representation.
Emphasising the importance of education, Dr. Aluko encouraged female athletes to pursue academic qualifications to prepare for life beyond competition, noting that such empowerment opens doors to careers in coaching, administration, and public service.
She reaffirmed the NOC’s commitment to promoting gender-inclusive policies and programmes, calling on stakeholders to support efforts aimed at ensuring women play a central role in shaping the future of sports in Nigeria.
Sports
AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.
Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.
The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.
As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.
The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.
The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.
With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.
Africa is coming to Abuja.
.
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