Sports

Academy records 40% reduction in injuries after safety reforms-President

Published

5 months ago

May 13, 2026

The President of Talent Developer Football Academy, Abuja, Oluwole Babatunde, said the academy has recorded a 40 per cent reduction in soft-tissue injuries following the introduction of new safety reforms during the rainy season.

Babatunde who stated this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, said the academy adopted weather-based monitoring using updates from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to guide training schedules and ensure player safety.

He said the academy had introduced a comprehensive safety, welfare and development plan to protect players and maintain training standards in spite of the adverse weather conditions.

According to him, training sessions are now scheduled for morning and late afternoon to avoid heavy rainfall and lightning risks.

While indoor facilities are used for strength, tactical and mobility drills whenever pitches become waterlogged.

“Our pitch management team conducts daily inspections, while improved drainage systems and sand top-dressing have been introduced to reduce waterlogging and improve playing conditions.

“We do not conduct training during thunderstorms because lightning safety is a top priority.

“ Our coaches are empowered to halt sessions immediately whenever conditions become unsafe,” he said.

Babatunde said players were provided with rain gear and spare clothing, while wet kits were washed and dried the same day to prevent infections and discomfort.

He added that injury prevention measures had been strengthened through extended warm-up routines, proprioception drills and restrictions on high-intensity contact drills on slippery surfaces.

The academy president disclosed that a physiotherapist was available four days weekly, while ice therapy, taping and ankle support were provided for players with minor injuries and joint concerns.

On players welfare and health, Babatunde said the academy had partnered with a nutritionist to improve meal plans with vitamins and immune-boosting diets, while clean drinking water and hygiene education were strictly enforced.

He further said transportation arrangements had been made for Under 15 and Under 17 players during periods of heavy rainfall, including shuttle services and flexible reporting times.

According to him, parents are regularly updated through WhatsApp on any changes to training schedules.

Babatunde added that rainy-day disruptions were converted into opportunities for video analysis sessions, classroom lessons and academic tutoring to support players development on and off the pitch.

He said no weather-related hospital cases had been recorded since the measures were introduced.

On performance expectations, Babatunde said the academy remained focused on player development, discipline and measurable technical and tactical improvement rather than trophies alone.

He added that the academy aimed to produce players capable of securing trials with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs, state team selections and scholarship opportunities.

Babatunde, who is also the Chairman of the AMAC Football Coaches Council, advised young players in Abuja to remain disciplined, consistent and education-focused, warning against shortcuts to success.

He commended football fans in the Federal Capital Territory for their continued support for grassroots football development.

“We are building players and people, not just results. Consistency, attitude and education will keep any player in the game,” he said.

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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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