Joel Ajayi

Ministry Of Youth And Sports Development on Friday dissolved National Olympic Sports Federations to enable smooth transmission of power from old Boards to the new one.

Minister who was represented by Dr. Simon Ebhojaiye Director of Federations, Elite Athletes Department,  FEAD in the ministry made dissolution during  a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

According to the minister’s speech In keeping with the Olympic Charter which stipulates a 4 year tenure for all Sports Federations Boards, the tenure of the National Olympic Sports Federations in Nigeria have come to an end.   There is a need for a transition from the old Boards to the new one.

“Within the last 4 years, a few of the National Sports Federations Boards performed remarkably well while many others have been bogged down by unnecessary bickering and divisions among the board members.

“Having run a full Olympic cycle, the Boards of the NSFs inaugurated on 21 June, 2017 are hereby dissolved to pave way for fresh elections.

“I wish to thank all the Board members for their contributions within the period they served in their various Federations Boards.”

Speaking further, the minister said “In order to ensure continuity in the administration of the Federations, Caretaker Committees are hereby put in place to manage the affairs of the Federations until elections are conducted and the new Boards inaugurated.

“Mindful of the Olympic Games in July 2021, the Caretaker Committees will work assiduously towards enhancing team Nigeria participation at the Games. The Ministry in partnership with the NOC, will release in due course, the time-table for the elections into National Sport Federation Boards.

“In order to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process, the Ministry requested all National Sports Federations to submit their Constitutions. Regrettably, as at date, only 7 Federations have complied.

“Having consulted with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the Ministry has concluded to organize elections into the Federations using the Code of Governance which is the administrative machinery that regulates the governance of Sports Federations in Nigeria.”

He therefore encouraged all Nigerians who have passion and interest for their chosen Sports and who can contribute selflessly to the development of Sports in Nigeria to show interest in the Membership of the various National Sports Federations.

However, Caretaker Committees for the 31 National Sports Federations have been put in place, who will run the affairs of the Federations until the inauguration of the new Boards.

Minister thereby enjoined all stakeholders to give the Caretaker Committees the necessary support in discharging their duties effectively.

The Caretaker Committees for 31 federations includes

CYCLING FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

Giandomenico  Massari- Chairman

Mohammed Bashir-Member

Shammah Makpa- Secretary General

DARTS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

Abubakar Gaiya Haruna-Chairman

Rita Oyoku Nwaeke-Member

Etim Udokang- Secretary General

HANDBALL FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

Samuel Ocheho-Chairman

Halima Banjeminia-Member

Muhammed Maigidansama-Secretary

NIGERIA CRICKET FEDERATION

Prof. Yahaya Adam Ukwanya- Chairman

Prof. Mariam Suleman- Member

Taiwo Oriss- Secretary

ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

Olamide George-Chairman

Maria Wophill-Member

Prince Adisa A. Beyioku-Secretary