Sports

NSC Outlines President Tinubu’s New Sports Mandate to Federation Presidents

Published

2 days ago

December 10, 2024

Joel Ajayi

…Calls for collective collaboration to build robust sports economy

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new mandate aimed at transforming Nigerian sports into a sustainable sports economy.

The detailed vision-unveiling was led by the leadership of the NSC during a strategic meeting with Presidents and Secretaries of various Sports Federations, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The meeting marked the first official engagement between the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade with federation leaders following institutional changes in Nigeria’s Sports sector.

Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko emphasized the shared vision between the NSC and Sports Federations, stressing the importance of partnership in driving growth and sustainability in Nigerian sports.

“We believe we are all partners with the various Sports Federations, working together for the same goal — to reposition Nigerian sports,” Dikko stated.

“We came here with a clear mandate from Mr. President to get sports working again by building a sustainable sports economy. We can’t just measure our sports by participation in tournaments but by its contributions to the entire economy, and that is the new mandate and direction,” he added.

To achieve this vision, Dikko outlined a three-pillar strategy for Nigerian sports: Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch.

“Our thinking is that competitions are basically consumption, while development is production. At the end of the day, we want the success of all of us to be measured by the development we put on the ground to get the sports growing and create value. Then we can move to the next level of competitions,” he explained.

He further revealed ongoing plans to establish a National Sports Development Fund and a National Sports Infrastructure Board through legislative acts. These structures are expected to provide a solid financial and infrastructural foundation to support sports development across the country.

Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade echoed the Chairman’s call for strategic reforms, emphasizing the NSC’s commitment to athlete development and governance restructuring.

“One thing we have also worked on is getting a consultant to come work with the Commission. Mr Bambo Akani, Founder & CEO of Making of Champions will be our Consultant, working closely with the Commission to develop a relationship with the elite athletes across all the Sports through the Elite Development and Podium Board,” Olopade revealed.

He announced plans to establish a training fund for exceptional athletes, which will commence in February 2025. The fund will ensure athletes receive financial support for training well ahead of major competitions.

“Once we do that, we will start paying their training funds long before a major event. The days of athletes getting training grants at competition venues are gone,” Olopade stated.

He also emphasized the NSC’s efforts to improve governance within Sports Federations by introducing a corporate governance structure and appointing marketing-driven Chief Operating Officers (COOs). He applauded the Nigeria Rugby Federation for leading this effort with the appointment of Babatunde Adeluola as its COO.

Olopade further revealed that the NSC is making significant strides in tapping into the lucrative eSports industry, which is valued at millions of dollars globally.

“We are also working on tapping into the millions of dollars in the eSports industry, and very soon, the Federation of eSports will be well-structured to join the league of Nigerian sports federations,” Olopade disclosed.

On the part of the sports federations, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Kida, commended the NSC’s fresh approach to sports development.

“Having listened to the remarks of both the NSC Chairman and the DG, there is a breath of fresh air. As Federation Presidents, we are already seeing solutions coming for the country’s sports,” Kida stated.

With a renewed focus on collaboration, sustainability, and economic development, the NSC is determined to redefine Nigeria’s sports sector, shifting from mere participation in tournaments to creating a thriving, self-sustaining sports economy.

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Sports

NSC Swiftly Activates ‘Adopt-an-Athlete’ Training Grant Initiative To Support Brume After Car Crash

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2024

The Gleamer

…commends Confetti Assets Limited for partnership and support

By Joel Ajayi

National Sports Commission ,NSC, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has activated the Adopt-an-Athlete Training Grant initiative with its first recipient being Nigerian track and field star, Ese Brume, following her recent involvement in a ghastly car accident.

Speaking at an event to mark the partnership with Confetti Assets Limited, the NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko commended Confetti Assets Limited for its generous support. He reiterated the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to drive sports development in Nigeria through a sustainable Public Private Partnership ,PPP, model.

“We must create a system that does not solely depend on government funding but rather leverages private sector partnerships to achieve a thriving sports economy”, Dikko said.
On his part , the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to athlete welfare and development.

“While we were strategizing, something unfortunate happened to Ese Brume. She was involved in a ghastly motor accident, but to God be the glory, her life was spared”, Olopade said.
“When we spoke, I asked her what I could tell the Chairman to do for her immediately.

She made me proud when she said, ‘All I need right now is whatever the Commission can give me as a training grant to help me buy a small vehicle so I can continue my training because I want to win the World Championship in September next year.’ That touched me deeply”, Olopade said.

The DG explained that the Commission has activated an innovative approach to raising funds for athlete development, elite sports, and grassroots initiatives.

“We have an ingenious way of raising funds through donations. With the Chairman’s approval, we approached key stakeholders, particularly contractors involved in developing sports infrastructure nationwide. We told them it was time they started donating to a fund dedicated to grassroots development, elite athletes, and federations”, he revealed.

“Confetti Assets Limited and Faisa were the first to support this initiative, and today, we are here to celebrate these patriotic Nigerians who understand Mr. President’s vision and the mandate of our Chairman. We want to ensure that, in the near future, our athletes will have no excuse to say they were not supported”, Olopade added.

The Director-General described the moment as symbolic, as it marked the official rollout of the Adopt-the-Athlete initiative under the new NSC, with Brume as its first beneficiary.

“Today is very significant as we collect the first training grant for the first athlete in a program we plan to launch fully in February 2025. And that first athlete is none other than Ese Brume, arguably one of the most decorated athletes Nigeria has ever produced”, Olopade declared.

On his part, the Chairman of Confetti Assets Limited, Mr. Benjamin Jonathan Ngoka, expressed his commitment to the initiative, pledging continued support for Nigeria’s sports sector.

“We are happy to key into this new vision for Nigerian sports. We understand the mandate of the National Sports Commission and will continue to play our part in supporting athletes and the broader vision of sports development,” Ngoka said.

The Adopt-the-Athlete initiative aims to provide financial support for Nigerian athletes’ training and development, ensuring they have the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of global sports.

With the backing of strategic partners like Confetti Assets Limited, the initiative is expected to significantly impact the careers of elite and grassroots athletes alike.

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