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FG’s Support for Athletes Is a Strategic Move for National Sports Growth — Shehu Dikko
By Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has explained that the generous rewards recently given to Nigerian athletes by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are part of a strategic effort to build a sustainable and prosperous future for sports in Nigeria.
Mallam Dikko made this known on Tuesday at the Nest Resource Centre in Abuja, where he served as the Guest of Honour at an event organized by the National Youth Leader of All Progressive Congress APC Dr Dayo Israel.
The event, aimed at engaging Nigerian youth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, encouraged young Nigerians to see sports as a viable and rewarding career path.
According to Dikko, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of using sports as a tool to curb restiveness, crime, and unemployment among youths across the country.
“This is the principle Mr. President stands for — if he believes in something, he follows through and does it,” Dikko said.
He emphasized that the recent rewards given to athletes are not merely symbolic but reflect the government’s genuine commitment to recognizing excellence and investing in the future of Nigerian sports.
“The reason athletes now go the extra mile is because they know their efforts are truly valued. When athletes feel appreciated, they give more. What President Tinubu is doing is not just about rewards — he is laying a solid foundation for the future of Nigerian sports.”
Dikko noted that the President’s gesture has inspired a renewed spirit among athletes. According to him, every Nigerian athlete now understands that “if you do the right thing, Nigeria is behind you.” He added that this new mindset is fostering a culture where talent is nurtured and success becomes inevitable.
He stressed that the era of neglecting athletes is over, affirming that President Tinubu is fully committed to the welfare and development of sportsmen and women across the nation.
“We are already working on a National Sports Development Framework — a structured and transparent system to guide our athletes, coaches, and stakeholders,” he announced.
Dikko further explained, Under this new system of Renewed hope initiative, athletes will be able to set clear goals and follow a defined pathway to achieve success.
He concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s long-term vision for sports in Nigeria:
“We are building a culture that values principle, discipline, and performance. This is not just about winning medals — it’s about giving every Nigerian athlete a fair shot at greatness. I am proud to be part of this vision alongside the President. And truly, this is just the beginning.”
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Eight Athletes, 11 Medals: Applauding Asagba’s Sports Leadership At DELSU
By Godspower Odedede
Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has recorded an impressive outing at the 15th West Africa University Games (WAUG) 2026, winning 11 medals with just eight athletes who represented the university in only three sporting events.
The university won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals to occupy seventh position on the medal table, an achievement that underscores the potential of its athletes and the importance of purposeful investment in university sports.
DELSU participated in the men’s 100-metre sprint with two athletes, women’s judo with two athletes, and swimming with four male athletes. Despite the limited number of athletes and sporting events, the university’s medal haul was a commendable performance and a source of pride for the institution.
The achievement deserves particular recognition given the restricted scope of DELSU’s participation. With representation in only three sports, the university demonstrated that focused preparation, adequate support and the effective deployment of available talent can produce encouraging results at major university competitions.
A major highlight of DELSU’s preparation for WAUG 2026 was the approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, for a quality two-week training programme for the university’s athletes in Asaba.
The camp provided the athletes with an opportunity to prepare using the excellent and up-to-date training facilities available in the state capital.
The initiative is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant commitment to structured preparation for university sports. Rather than relying solely on athletes’ natural abilities, the training programme recognised the importance of preparation, access to appropriate facilities and institutional investment in performance.
Professor Asagba deserves commendation for this intervention and for demonstrating a willingness to provide practical support for sports development at DELSU. The university’s WAUG performance offers an encouraging indication of what can be achieved when athletes receive purposeful preparation and administrative backing.
The Vice-Chancellor’s broader vision for sports infrastructure is also encouraging. Plans are understood to be underway for the construction of an ultra-modern sports complex for the university in the near future. If delivered as anticipated, the facility could significantly strengthen DELSU’s capacity for athlete development, training, competitions and sports science activities.
Such infrastructure would also support the university’s ambitions to improve its performance at national and international university games. A modern sports complex could provide a foundation for more systematic talent identification, performance monitoring, coaching development and the preparation of athletes across a wider range of sporting events.
Special recognition must also go to Mrs Epebi-Ebi Noah, the swimming coach, who was physically present at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with the DELSU swimming team during the competition. Her presence and involvement underline the importance of coaching support, technical guidance and close supervision of athletes during major sporting events.
The performance also calls for commendation of the Chairman of the University Sports Committee, Professor Ochuko Nabofa, whose leadership has brought renewed attention and energy to sports development at DELSU. His role in supporting the university’s sports administration and helping to strengthen the sporting environment deserves recognition.
Similarly, the Acting Director of Sports, Peter Omojuwa, deserves commendation for his administrative responsibilities and contribution to the university’s sporting programme. The Chief Coach, Lucky Ajaino, should also be recognised for his role in the technical preparation and development of DELSU athletes.
The combined efforts of the university management, sports committee, sports administrators and coaches are essential to sustaining progress. While medals provide a visible measure of success, the systems established to prepare athletes and support their development are equally important to the long-term growth of university sports.
DELSU’s WAUG achievement follows another notable outing at the last Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games, where the university finished fourth. That result was regarded as one of the finest performances in the institution’s sporting history and strengthened expectations that DELSU could become an even more formidable force in university sports.
The latest WAUG performance provides another reason for optimism. However, the university’s participation in only three events also reveals an opportunity for further growth. Expanding participation across more sports, identifying talented students and improving access to specialised training could help DELSU compete for a higher position on future medal tables.
The proposed sports complex, if realised, could play a central role in this expansion. It should ideally be supported by sustained funding, modern equipment, qualified coaches, athlete welfare programmes and collaboration with relevant sports science professionals. These measures would help ensure that infrastructure investment translates into measurable improvements in performance.
The university could also consider strengthening performance analysis, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, talent identification and systematic monitoring of athletes’ progress. Such an approach would help transform individual successes into a sustainable university-wide sports development programme.
DELSU’s performance at WAUG 2026 is worthy of celebration. Eight athletes competed in just three sporting events and returned with 11 medals, including seven gold. The result reflects the potential within the university and provides a strong basis for building a more ambitious sports programme.
Professor Asagba’s approval of the two-week training camp and the prospect of an ultra-modern sports complex offer reasons to look forward to the next phase of DELSU sports development. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum, broaden participation and ensure that the university’s sporting ambitions are matched by consistent investment and effective implementation.
With continued support from the Vice-Chancellor, the University Sports Committee, the Directorate of Sports, coaches and other stakeholders, DELSU can build on its recent achievements and strengthen its position among Nigeria’s leading sporting universities.
The message from WAUG 2026 is clear: DELSU has demonstrated what a small but well-supported contingent can achieve. With broader participation, sustained preparation and modern sporting infrastructure, the university has the potential to accomplish even greater things.
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