Sports
X-Raying NSC DG’s Remark: “All Sports and Federations Hold Equal Importance” – Hon. Bukola Olopade
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, once again reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that all sports federations in Nigeria are treated with equal importance. This renewed emphasis was a key highlight during a recent meeting with sports federation presidents and secretaries, where Olopade made it clear that no sport would be treated with levity under his leadership.
While it is widely acknowledged that some sports enjoy greater popularity than others, Olopade’s stance signals a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s sports administration. Since assuming office, he has made concerted efforts to demonstrate his inclusive approach. From attending cricket games and athletics events to gracing polo tournaments, Olopade’s actions underscore his belief that every sport deserves recognition and support. He has also been vocal about embracing eSports, a rapidly growing sector in the global sports industry, promising to provide it with the leverage needed to thrive in Nigeria.
“All sports must be carried along and given equal attention for them to excel,” Olopade stated during the meeting. His words have been backed by visible actions, offering a fresh sense of hope to sports stakeholders across the country. Many believe that this holistic approach will create a more inclusive sports ecosystem where every athlete and sport receives the attention it deserves.
Beyond the rhetoric, the NSC’s leadership has taken concrete steps to operationalize this vision. One of the Commission’s most significant moves is the proposal to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive its operations and open up economic opportunities. According to Olopade, the COO’s role will be pivotal in fostering the growth of Nigeria’s sports economy, a sector that holds immense potential for job creation, youth development, and economic diversification.
“The COO will play a key role in the growth of the nation’s sports economy,” Olopade remarked, highlighting the strategic importance of this new position. This move is seen as a bold step toward a more structured and economically viable sports sector, with a clear focus on maximizing the potential of Nigeria’s sports industry.
The NSC’s strategy is also geared towards improving athlete welfare and upgrading sports infrastructure across the country. According to Olopade, there is a renewed sense of prioritization in these areas. He noted that the Commission’s efforts would soon begin to yield tangible results.
Sports stakeholders have welcomed these developments with optimism. Athletes, coaches, and sports administrators believe that a level playing field for all sports will lead to better opportunities for lesser-known sports to gain visibility and recognition. The appointment of a COO is also seen as a move toward a more business-oriented approach, with the potential to attract private sector investment and enhance the commercial viability of sports in Nigeria.
The journey is still in its early stages, but the nation is enveloped with strong belief that the sports sector is getting it right this time. Olopade characterized by his all-inclusive vision and strategic reforms, has given the sports community a renewed sense of hope. By fostering unity among federations and promoting equal importance for all sports, the NSC is setting a new standard for sports administration in Nigeria.
Sports
Plateau Vipers, Benue Queens Crowned Champions at HFN North Central Division One Tourney
Joel Ajayi
The President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Jibril Seidu, has said the federation will continue to intensify its grassroots talent development drive through zonal competitions across the country.
Seidu stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the finals of the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship, where Plateau Vipers defeated Suleja Shooters 29-24 to emerge champions in the men’s category.
In the women’s final, Benue Queens of Makurdi defeated City Queens of Suleja to claim the title.
The eight-day tournament featured teams from across the North Central Zone, with Plateau Vipers of Jos, Confluence Stars of Lokoja, Unity Boys of Abuja, Suleja Shooters and Nasarawa Ambassadors of Lafia competing in the men’s category.
In the women’s category, Nuela Handball Academy of Ilorin, Inikpi Babes of Idah, Benue Queens of Makurdi and City Queens of Suleja competed for honours.
At the end of the competition, four teams — two male and two female — emerged as the North Central Zone’s representatives for the national Division One league.
According to Seidu, the tournament was organised as part of the federation’s deliberate strategy to take handball development back to the regions and discover talents that might otherwise remain unnoticed.
He said the HFN board, inaugurated on October 25, 2025, resolved that grassroots development was essential to creating a sustainable pipeline of players for national and international competitions.
“All the teams you have seen here are from the North Central Zone of the country, and every state is represented with an academy or state team,” he said.
Seidu explained that the new approach marked a departure from the previous system, where talent identification was largely centred on the federation’s major league competitions.
He said taking competitions to the regions would provide young players with greater opportunities to showcase their abilities while strengthening the foundation of handball across the country.
The HFN president also linked the grassroots initiative to Nigeria’s recent achievements in international handball, stressing the need to develop younger players who can eventually replace members of the current national teams.
He noted that Nigeria had qualified for the 2027 Men’s Junior Handball World Championship in North Macedonia, describing the achievement as evidence of the potential within the country’s handball system.
“How do we replace these players with upcoming players? This is the avenue for us to get players,” he said.
Seidu added that the federation was determined to make handball more visible and accessible, describing it as one of Nigeria’s major sporting disciplines with significant potential for growth.
The North Central tournament is part of a wider zonal programme designed to decentralise handball development across Nigeria.
According to the federation, similar competitions are being organised across other zones, including the South East, North East, North West and South South, with qualifiers from each zone expected to converge at a designated venue for the next stage of the competition.
The federation also appealed for greater support from sponsors, stakeholders and state associations to sustain its grassroots development programme.
It expressed appreciation to the participating states, academies, team sponsors and other stakeholders for their support and commitment to the growth of handball in Nigeria.
The federation said the initiative would provide a platform for discovering the next generation of Nigerian handball stars while expanding the sport’s reach beyond its traditional centres.
While Speaking the elated coach of Benue Queen Godwin Tondo has promised a stronger and more tactical performance after guiding the team to victory at the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship in Abuja.
He attributed the success to the team’s long-term youth development programme, noting that the squad was built through a deliberate process of identifying and nurturing young talents.
According to him, the programme began with the selection of 92 girls from secondary schools, who were subsequently trained and developed over a four-year period.
He said the team’s success was a product of sustained hard work and commitment despite the challenges encountered during preparations for the tournament.
“I feel very pleased being a champion today. The road to this stage was very, very hard, but I am very happy that we have got the result from all the toughness of the game,” he said.
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