Sports

Traditional Sports Athletes Set To Stage Protest Over Non-Inclusion Of The Sport In The 2022 National Sports Festival

Published

4 years ago

October 26, 2022

Traditional Sports; Kokowa, Langa, Ayo, Abula and Dambe athletes are set to protest the non-inclusion of the indigenous sport in the forthcoming National Sports Festival, billed to take place next month in Asaba, Delta State.

Nigeria was the first country to demonstrate the African traditional sports at the All Africa Games when three traditional sports of Ayo, Dambe, and Kokowa were demonstrated at the 8th All Africa Games hosted in Nigeria in 2003.

While several letters have been written to the sports ministry to reinstate and feature traditional sports in the festival, no action has been taken to reinstate the sport and the athletes are now planning to stage protest against the non-inclusion of the sport.

It can be confirmed from a reliable source that athletes and officials of Traditional Sport are mobilizing and planning to protest the non-inclusion of the sport in the National Sports Festival.

Reacting to the development, president of Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria Honourable Olomo Agbadabina, who did not confirm the protest, said he is still appealing to the sports ministry for the re-instatement of traditional sports in the sport festival.

“We at the federation are still appealing to the sports ministry to bring back Traditional Sport and feature it in the festival because the implication is that the sports are no longer reckoned with in Nigeria and the progress made so far in promoting African Traditional Sports in Nigeria has been dismissed”.

“Thousands of Nigerian Youths that are participating in Traditional Sports have been eliminated from taking part at the festival and rendered jobless, with their coaches”.

Honourable Agbadabina, who believes that reducing Traditional Sport at the National Sports Festival to optional sport is a disgrace to the teeming youths who have taken to the sport, said he will continue to push until his request is attended to.

“We have written to the sports ministry, we have sent letter to Delta State, we have copied the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representative and we have also written to the Senate President, we will continue to push and try all within our power so as to reinstate Traditional Sport in the National Sports festival”.

Federal Government relisted Para sports to the festival on Wednesday October 9 following protest from its athletes after it was earlier removed by the National Council on Sports.

The 21st edition of the National Sports Festival which was earlier scheduled to take place from November 2-15 will now take place from November 28 to December 10, 2022.

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Sports

NSC DG Olopade Applauds FCT’s Move to Develop Gwagwalada Mini Stadium

Published

8 hours ago

November 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the planned construction of a mini stadium in Gwagwalada, describing the initiative as a significant boost to sports development in the territory.

Hon. Olopade said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly its commitment to the development of sports infrastructure across the country.

According to the DG, the proposed Gwagwalada Mini Stadium, when completed, will serve as an important sporting facility during the 2027 African School Games scheduled to hold in Abuja, while also providing young athletes in the FCT with access to quality sports infrastructure to nurture their talents.

“As I speak, over 30 contractors have been mobilized to various sites to ensure that sporting facilities and infrastructure are put in place for both our young and elite athletes across the country, Hon, Olopade said.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unprecedented support for sports development, noting that the Federal Government had committed over ₦200 billion to the rehabilitation and development of sports infrastructure nationwide.

“We are more than grateful at the Sports Commission because Mr President has been very supportive of sports like never before. His commitment to spending over ₦200 billion on infrastructure revamp across the country will ensure that indigent children have access to quality facilities to harness their sporting potential,” he added.

The DG emphasized that sports infrastructure remains a critical factor in achieving excellence, noting that the availability and quality of facilities play a major role in athletes’ performance and their ability to secure podium finishes at international competitions.

He described the planned construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium as a welcome development, commending Wike for his continued commitment to infrastructure development in the FCT.

“The construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium by the FCT Minister is a massive welcome development for the Sports Commission. The Minister deserves all the accolades for the good work he has been doing in the FCT, particularly in the area of construction and infrastructure development,” Hon. Olopade said.

The NSC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the development of sporting facilities that will support grassroots participation, talent discovery and the overall growth of sports in Nigeria.

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