Sports

Gumel assures RENISA of support, says retired athletes deserve the best

Published

4 months ago

June 4, 2026

President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has assured the Association of Retired Sports Men and Women in Nigeria (RENISA) of the Commission’s support saying those who have flown the Nigerian flag in the past deserves maximum respect and attention.

Gumel stated this while playing host to RENISA’s delegation led by its President and former Nigerian athlete, Sunday Adeleye, on Thursday in Abuja.

He described RENISA as a very important body whose membership spreads across the nook and cranny of the country and even outside saying the Association will provide a recognisable platform for former athletes to be seen after retirement from sports.

The NOC boss, who said RENISA couldn’t have come at a better time, promised to provide all the necessary support for the association as he commended Adeleye and his executive for their sacrifice to see to the welfare of their retired colleagues

He said, “Let me sincerely from the bottom of my heart congratulate you for being the founding father of this most and very important association. I pray that God will continue to guide you in what you have done.

There are very many members of this association in this country, millions not thousands. What you have done is something that will go a long way and continue during our time and even the next generation.

“It’s an association that will help people. Many of these retired sports men and women are suffering because when you see them you will pity them. They don’t have anything and nobody cares about them. Nobody is thinking about them. But with this, by the time you start making some activities and creating awareness, the private sector who have interest in sports will be able to contribute when you approach them. Such contribution will definitely create a lot of impact and help this innocent people because they served the country.”

Gumel added, “But unfortunately for one reason or the other, the country is not remembering them. But now that you’ve decided to set this up, and I’m happy that it is in the Act establishing the National Sports Commission (NSC) which means government is aware of it.

“So the government, the NOC, all organisations will rally round to make sure that you get the needed support to touch the lives of these people all over the country to make them relevant so that they are remembered for the services they’ve rendered to the country. They did well and promoted the image of the country.

“I want to assure you that we from the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will do our best. I’m happy with this your letter and definitely we’ll write a letter of commendation and not only that, any activities that you have, try as much as possible to involve us. Any contribution we can make within our powers, we’ll do it to the best of our ability to support the association.

“We are always available for you and to support you anywhere and even internationally outside the country. We can be able to introduce you to ANOCA. I must commend you for this effort, this is a sacrifice because you’re not being paid salary but just to support which is very good. Your reward will come from God and God Almighty will continue to guide you, bless you so that the association will become stronger and the generation unborn will build on the foundation you’ve laid today.”

In his remarks, Adeleye said the visit was to acquaint the NOC with the activities of RENISA as well as seek the support of the Commission going forward.

He said the Association was backed by the Act establishing the NSC and its aim was primarily to support former athletes to live a better life after their years of service to motherland. He informed the NOC president that RENISA will be having its maiden Sports Fiesta from 17th to 26th September, 2027 in Abuja where members will compete in 17 sports.

“We said it’s necessary for us to come as an association to familiarise with the NOC, to seek your guidance, blessing and support. The Association of Retired Nigerian Sports Men and Women has been in existence since 2019 under my leadership as the founder. And we’ve tried our best to reach out to supporting some of our members that are not able to meet up because we understand how the world of sports operate. Where we make so much or few of us make so much and at the end of the day it’s even nothing to write home about when we are retired.

A good number of us miss that aspect of investment and building our future. We look at all these things where we have sports men and women that have done this country great die because of N10,000 to pay hospital bills.

Some of us have not being able e to train our children again because we believe that once we take sports as career in Africa or Nigeria, we don’t do any other thing we just feel it’s forever but at the end of the day when the time comes to stop, there is nothing to fall back to. This affects the family and the welfare of most of our colleagues.

That’s we said we have to rally round ourselves because nobody is going to do it for us. We have to and we’ll do it for ourselves with the support of people like you, the NOC and of course, the Sports Commission. We’re partners in progress and here to complement your efforts. Because we know that the burden upon the NOC and the NSC is big.

You’re thinking of grassroots, intermediary, elites and if we now heap our own problems which are bigger than the ones you are already handling, the whole system will collapse. Fortunately, we are in the Act of the National Sports Commission as a body and recognised by law which is also part of the document we are presenting to you.

Our Sports Fiesta is coming up next year between 17th and 26th September, 2027 here in Abuja. We are going to have 17 sports for the first edition and will come with awards for people like you that have been contributing to sports and never given up on us, the sports people. We are relying on your support in terms of grants and whatever way we are going to reach out to other sources of income which we’ll also channel through the NOC.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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