The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Sports Commission

  • NSC defends disqualification of six over doping issues

    NSC defends disqualification of six over doping issues

    The National Sports Commission, (NSC),   has  defended the disqualification of  six athletes the on-going 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Gateway Games Ogun 2024.

    NSC Director General   Bukola Olopade, disclosed to newsmen on Tuesday in Abeokuta that the disqualification is related to anti-doping issues.

    He maintained that registered athletes with anti-doping issues cannot compete for scoring medals at the ongoing Gateway Games.

    The decision is coming after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Games.

    The Commission announced that this is in line with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

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    Olopade urged all the participating states to take note of this and reiterates the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every athlete competes clean.

    “The issue of anti-doping is one important mandate of the Commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drugs problems at both domestic and international competitions,” he said. “We are happy now that the National anti-doping law has finally been passed by our sports loving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ripple effect of such a landmark feat must swiftly be felt in our sports starting with the current National Sports Festival.

    The six athletes affected are Marcus Okon, representing Akwa Ibom state in Para Athletics, Ayabeke Opeyemi, representing Bayelsa state in Gymnastics, Shukurat Kareem, representing Lagos state in kick-boxing and Omole Dolapo Joshua representing, Bayelsa state in kick-boxing.

    Others are Ogunsemilore Cynthia, representing Bayelsa state in kick-boxing and Animashaun Sofia representing, Lagos state in Para powerlifting.

  • Visa hitch: Chinese Embassy, National Sports Commission close ranks

    Visa hitch: Chinese Embassy, National Sports Commission close ranks

    The Chinese Government has intensified bilateral relationships with the Nigerian Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) following the visa glitch that led to Team  Nigeria withdrawing from the World relays in Guangzhou, China.

    This much was in focus  when officials of the Chinese Embassy visited  the leadership of the NSC in Abuja yesterday.

    Culture Counselor of the  Chinese Embassy Yang Jian Xing expressed regrets over the visa challenges that prompted Nigeria to withdraw from the World relays and pledged China’s commitments to the country’s vision for Sports Development.

    He said: ” I want to describe what has happened as an accident and we are sorry and we regret it in its entirety. We are here to let the Sports Commission know that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria of high esteem.

    ” We are open to better collaboration with the National Sports Commission to boost diplomatic ties of both China and Nigeria in terms of Sports Training and Exchange programmes.

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    ” Once again I want to assure you that from next time we will try our best for this not to repeat itself again and we will also like to create a special channel for a China and Nigeria Sports Communication, ” he added.

    Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the Commission has accepted the gestures of  regrets by the Chinese Government and are ready to  foster better collaboration for the future.

    ” We are very happy to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy in our office today and it shows the Chinese Government genuine disappointment for what happened which for us is a huge sign of better things to come between both countries especially in Sports,” Dikko said.” We should at all times try to create positives out of things like this and we are happy that this has further strengthened our relationship with the Chinese Embassy.”

    The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, reiterated the Commission’s desire to build stronger sporting ties with China and allowed the incident of the visa glitch to serve as a springboard to a robust working relationship.

    ” Your humility and diplomacy is the best I have seen anywhere and I am very grateful that you best described the incident between the AFN, the Commission and your embassy as an accident and we have all agreed to take it as such and move forward to better things”.

    ” I want to thank you for everything and for the request for exchange programmes and training for our media and Sports men and women. This is truly worthy of note . We are looking forward to a bigger and better relationship between Nigeria and China,” he concluded.

  • NSC: Gains of Dikko’s outing at Interregional African Ministerial Meeting

    NSC: Gains of Dikko’s outing at Interregional African Ministerial Meeting

    By Clement Nwankpa Jr

    National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko participated at the Interregional African Ministerial meeting in Banjul on Tuesday. 

    The theme was “Strengthening Sport Governance in Africa: Fostering Interregional Cooperation and Convergence for Sport Values, Ethics and Integrity.”

    With the aim of consolidating a vision and strengthening cooperation at the regional level, the event brought together ministers of sports from the African continent, the Bureau of the ninth session of the Conference of Parties (COP9) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport, representatives of African interregional organizations, as well as experts and key stakeholders. 

    Here are the important  takeaways from  Dikko’s outing in Banjul.

    Applause for Nigeria’s Sports reforms, RHINSE

    Dikko seized the opportunity as one of the selected speakers/panellist to highlight the reforms being undertaken in Nigerian sports. He buttressed the disposition towards sports economy driven by the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) and leaning on the three Rs namely Reset, Refocus and Relaunch. In his projection, Nigerian sports should move from competition-driven to development-driven; from consumption to production. This got a resounding commendation and the consensus in the hall was that Nigerian sports is headed in the right direction under the current NSC leadership.

    Plaudits for Tinubu’s bold sporting decisions

    With Dikko’s lucid presentation shedding light on the president’s support for the sector, President Tinubu was hailed for lending his full weight behind the nation’s sports reforms. While it was noted that executive will is paramount to drive veritable sports policies, President Tinubu was applauded for the bold step of restoring the National Sports Commission and making appropriate investments to spearhead the sector’s progress.

    Endorsement of Anti-doping Laboratory in Nigeria

    The forum provided further opportunity for Mallam Dikko to have engagements with Director of WADA Africa, Rodney Swigelaar and the CEO of USA  Anti-Doping Agency (USADA),Travis Tygard in relation to Nigeria’s quest to strengthen our anti-doping framework. Of particularly interest in the discussions was the proposed Anti-doping Laboratory to be situated in Nigeria with budgetary allocation in the 2025 fiscal year. It was seen as a project that will be of immense benefit to the continent since currently there is only one Anti-doping Laboratory in Africa while generating revenues for Nigeria. Both parties pledged support for the project.

    Praises on NADA Bill update

    Continuing his engagement with the WADA Africa Director and USADA CEO, Dikko provided updates on the status of the ongoing legislative work on the Nigeria Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Bill. The feeling among the parties was that where there is a will, there will be a way. They commended efforts being made to make the NADA Act a reality.  In a related development, The WADA Africa delegation further committed to continuously support and engage with Nigeria to ensure all pending doping processes are strengthened and resolved soonest to ensure Nigeria is fully compliant.

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    Parley with Gambian President

    After the meeting, the NSC Chairman along with other delegates paid a visit to the President of Gambia His Excellence Mr. Adama Barrow in his office. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries in sports.

    Whiter African Union Sports Council Region II

    Dikko also engaged Her Excellency Amb. Minata Samara Cessounma, the Africa Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development on the need to collaborate to upscale and enhance the operations of African Union Sports Council Region II which Nigeria is hosting its headquarters and leading the process. There were  other collaborative initiatives between Nigeria and the Africa Union in advancing sports development in Africa.

    Nigeria encouraged to host African Games 2031

    During the engagement with Amb. Samara, preliminary exploratory discussions were also held to encourage Nigeria to consider making a bid to host the African Games 2031. This is in tandem with the Commission’s resolve to upgrade sports infrastructures across the nation in a bid to attract international sporting events and set the foundation for sustainable sports development in Nigeria with the right infrastructures. In their reckoning, more of these international events will aid the sports economy.

    Dikko’s three decades experience comes to the fore

    While delivering his paper as one of selected speakers and panellist, Dikko brought all of his about three decades experience in the sector to bear. It oozed from his delivery and there was no doubt that this was a round peg in a round hole. There was an agreement that President Tinubu had made the right choice and Nigerian sports is in the right hands.

    Stakeholders’ engagements continue

    Dikko was immensely satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. He was excited over the opportunities his presence in Banjul presented and is even committed towards ensuring they rub off on his assignment at the helms of Nigerian sports.

    His words:  “The NSC will continue engaging with all stakeholders and colleagues across the globe in our quest to boost sports development in Nigeria hinged on sustainable frameworks and create a sports economy in Nigeria in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

     Nwankpa is SA (Media) to National Sports Commission Chairman

  • Stakeholders okays passage of NSC bill

    Stakeholders okays passage of NSC bill

    So much excitement has greeted the passage of the bill to establish the National Sports Commission (NSC) by the Senate as sports stakeholders believe this is the best step taken in recent time by the upper house.
    On Tuesday, the bill to empower and establish NSC to oversee the administration of sports and other related matters was passed by the Senate. The bill was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba, came through a voice vote after its clause-by-clause consideration by the legislatures.
    From the Chairman, Island Club, Lagos, Olabanji Oladapo to three-time Olympian – Chika Chukwumerije, the passage of the bill would add fillip to the administration of sports in the country.
    Oladapo, a former Secretary General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) told NationSport yesterday that the passage of the bill is overdue, describing as an achievement to be attributed to the lawmakers.
    “I think the passage of the bill setting up NSC is overdue and this is coming at the right time when the soul of sports in the country needs to be manned by professionals. I am not carried by the euphoria because I have been expecting it for a long time. But we must also commend the lawmakers for matching their words with action with the final passage of the bill for the Executive to sign. What now matters is to get the right people to manage the commission,” he said.
    For Chukwumerije, who is a Beijing Olympic Games bronze medalist, the passage showed that the lawmakers understand the groaning the Nigerians.
    “It is a great development that shows the National Assembly has listened to the will of the people and to the common sense of placing sports as one of the fundamental drivers of the ambitions, aspirations, and development of millions of young Nigerians. This ensures that the business of sports would be handled by Sporting Professionals and it would open many opportunities for career sports officials to grow and excel in the system.
    “Furthermore, the passage of this bill means that the budget for sports would increase from the mere envelope it is now too, hopefully, a proper investment in an industry whose returns can be in billions of dollars.”
    He added: “If the bill is properly implemented, the national sports commission should have a strong long-term positive impact on the economy as well as important International laurels that will be steadily won across various sports.

    “I am sure that the passing of this bill will precipitate all kinds of political wrangling and jostle for positions. I only hope that the best hands scale through so Nigeria can enjoy finally enjoy the benefits of a vibrant sporting industry.”
  • Nigeria risks sanction over absence from Wrestling Grand Prix

    Nigeria risks sanction over absence from Wrestling Grand Prix

    There are strong indications that Nigeria may be sanctioned by the United World Wrestling (UWW), if it fails to attend next week’s UWW-organised Golden Grand Prix in Azerbaijan.

    Being the end-of-the-year tournament organized by the world wrestling ruling body is expected to have the top four athletes in each weight categories with continental champions competing to have a share of the mouthwatering prize money for the top three.

    NationSport learnt yesterday that African champions, Nigeria’s Blessing Oborodudu and Odunayo Adekuoroye have been listed among selected athletes across the globe expected to compete at the three-day championship holding in Baku.

    Despite getting the approval of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to attend the tournament, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) is yet to secure the required fund to embark on the trip.

    It was leant that if Nigeria fails to make it to the tournament, the country will be fined and sanctioned by UWW and this might affect the country’s chances of qualifying more athletes for the Olympics.

    Being among the few athletes that were invited from Africa to compete at the championship, Adekuoroye and Oborodudu are also using the tournament to tune up for the Olympics Qualifiers holding in Algeria as well as the next African Championship in Alexandria, Egypt.

    Aside from being the African champion in the women’s 53kg freestyle, Adekuoroye qualified to take part in the tournament as being among the top four in the world in the weight category.

    Oborodudu qualified to take part in the competition following her triumph at the 2015 African Championship in the women’s 63kg freestyle.

    However, the recent development may deny these athletes to be part of the championship and wrestling federation has not been able to access the fund approved for the championship.

    24 events will be competed for at the tournament taking place at the Baku Sports Hall with winner in each event carting home $10,000 while runner’s up gets $5,000. The third place athletes will get $2,000 each.

    For coaching the eventual winners, the coaches of the winners will get $2,000 for their efforts.

  • Awo stadium hosts swimming tourney

    Awo stadium hosts swimming tourney

    IN its continued efforts to cultivate school pupils into sports at early stage, KAYROM LEE that partners National Sports Commission (NSC) zone one, staged a swimming competition for primary and secondary schools pupils where new talents were discovered by Oyo State Sports Council coaches.

    The CEO of the firm, Mrs. Romoke Ayinde, while briefing newsmen after the event held at the swimming pool of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Ibadan over the weekend said the Holiday swimming Tourney was designed to engage the pupils positively during the school vacation and to introduce swimming the younger ones at the very early stage as its been done in the leading nations in global sports.

  • Ekeji bows out as NSC DG

    Ekeji bows out as NSC DG

    Dr Patrick Ekeji on Tuesday in Abuja relinquished power as the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    He handed over to Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, the Director of Finance and Human Resources Management and the most senior director at the commission.

    Ekeji, who served five sports ministers as the NSC director-general, took over from Dr Amos Adamu, in April 2009 on a four-year contract after Adamu retired from public service.

    He was the first Director of Sports Development in Nigeria to lead the country to win the All Africa Games in October 2004 after he defined the constituent complement of the Abuja Stadium in July 2001.

    Ekeji, who hails from Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo, was a former Green Eagles player and Green Eagles coach, and a lecturer at the National Institute of Sports in Lagos.

    He was appointed Director of Sports Development at the erstwhile NSC in 1994 and became Director of Sports, Imo State Sports Council in 1993.

    He was the first Nigerian to undertake an international coaching assignment when he became the Technical Adviser to Sierra-Leone Sports Council. (NAN)