Sports
President Tinubu’s Support, Grassroots Investments, Athlete Welfare Driving Nigeria’s Sports Renaissance – Olopade
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has reaffirmed that sustained funding and strategic support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are central to the recent progress recorded in Nigeria’s sports sector, particularly in athletics development.
Speaking on the Commission’s ongoing reforms and achievements, Hon. Olopade highlighted grassroots development and athlete welfare as the twin pillars driving a new era of growth and global competitiveness.
“The consistent funding and unwavering support from Mr. President have been a major highlight of what we are achieving today in Nigerian sports. It has enabled us to refocus, rebuild, and reposition our systems for sustainable success,” Olopade stated.
The NSC boss emphasized the Commission’s deliberate efforts to nurture young talents through structured pathways, pointing to emerging athletes such as Rosemary Nwankwo, Miracle Ezechukwu, and Jacinta Lawrence as shining examples of the future of Nigerian athletics.
“Our Invited Junior Athletes initiative has unearthed stars like Rosemary Nwankwo, Miracle Ezechukwu, and Jacinta Lawrence, who are already in the pipeline as the future. This is exactly the kind of progression we want to see from the grassroots to the elite level across all sports,” he said.
“We are opening the doors wider by organizing national trials for about 600 Nigerian athletes in the diaspora. This will give them the opportunity to participate in the National Intermediate Games and the National Sports Festival, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and positioning them to represent Nigeria on the global stage in the future.”
Hon. Olopade further noted that athletes welfare has become a defining feature of the current administration, with deliberate policies introduced to ensure athletes are adequately supported and motivated.
“Athlete welfare has been one our greatest asset in this administration. In the last six months alone, we have paid athletes grants twice. The least among our elite athletes received $5,000, while even our young athletes were supported with ₦3 million each. Beyond that, we have taken responsibility for the education of some of our brightest future stars by paying their school fees. This is the kind of system that builds confidence, loyalty, and excellence.”
The NSC DG reiterated the Commission’s commitment to building a sustainable sports ecosystem that prioritizes inclusivity, performance, and long-term national pride.
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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