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  • SPAN urges training, research funding to build resilience in Nigerian athletes

    SPAN urges training, research funding to build resilience in Nigerian athletes

    The Sports Psychologists Association of Nigeria (SPAN) has called for the training of coaches, sports psychologists, and administrators to identify, nurture, and strengthen resilience among athletes at all levels.

    The association also stressed the need for grassroots and school sports programmes to integrate resilience education, ensuring young athletes are better prepared for long-term success and holistic development.

    In addition, SPAN urged the National Sports Commission to provide dedicated funding for multidisciplinary research on resilience, stress management, and mental health in sports.

    These recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s 38th annual conference held at the University of Ibadan from August 25 to 27, 2025. 

    The document was signed by SPAN President, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, and Secretary, Dr. Adesola Afuye.

    The conference, themed “Psychological Resilience for Sustainable Sports Development in the 21st Century and Beyond,” brought together scholars, coaches, athletes, policymakers, and key stakeholders in sports and education.

    The conference featured a stimulating blend of keynote addresses, lead paper presentations, panel discussions, and technical sessions which provided rich insights into the role of psychological resilience in contemporary sports. 

    A professor of Social Work at the Lead City University, Ibadan Professor Jane Adebusuyi, while delivering the keynote address, emphasised the importance of resilience as a foundation for sustainable sports performance and national development. 

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    The lead papers were presented by Dr. Mary Pindar, University of Maiduguri and Professor Prof J. B. Vipene, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, who provided empirical and theoretical perspectives on resilience-building, athlete welfare, and mental health in sports.

    Panel discussions engaged experts and practitioners in critical reflections on challenges and opportunities for embedding resilience across grassroots, elite, and professional sports. 

    Technical sessions allowed young scholars and practitioners to present innovative research and case studies, sparking meaningful dialogue and collaborative exploration. 

    The deliberations were marked by rigorous intellectual exchange, practical demonstrations, and interactive engagements that fostered knowledge sharing and professional networking. 

    The association in the communique reaffirmed its commitment to advancing knowledge, practice, and policy on psychological resilience as an indispensable pillar of sports development in Nigeria and globally.

    After robust presentations, discussions, and engagements, the participants unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

    “Psychological resilience is a critical determinant of sustained athletic performance, mental health, and career longevity in sports. National and institutional sports policies should mainstream psychological resilience as a core component of athlete development frameworks.

    “Coaches, sports psychologists, and administrators must be trained to identify, nurture, and strengthen resilience among athletes at all levels of participation. Grassroots and school sports programmes should embed resilience education to prepare young athletes for long-term success and holistic development.

    “The National Sports Commission should provide dedicated funding for multidisciplinary research on resilience, stress management, and mental health in sports to generate context-specific and sustainable solutions. Sports psychologists should utilize digital tools and emerging technologies to enhance mental training, performance monitoring, and resilience-building strategies.

    “Special attention must be given to the resilience needs of female athletes, para-athletes, and marginalized groups, recognizing their unique challenges and promoting inclusivity in sports development. Institutionalized social support networks presented as counseling, mentorship, and peer support systems, should be established to enhance athletes’ coping capacities and overall wellbeing.

    “International partnerships should be fostered to share best practices, training models, and cross-cultural insights on resilience for sustainable sports development. All stakeholders must commit to embedding psychological resilience within the broader frameworks of sustainable sports development to ensure holistic growth, competitive excellence, and societal well-being in the 21st century and beyond”.

  • Excitement as Alliance Française de Lagos, SPAN mark International Dance Day

    Excitement as Alliance Française de Lagos, SPAN mark International Dance Day

    Top officials from Alliance Française de Lagos and Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) were among the dignitaries that graced the entertaining celebration of the 2024 International Dance Day.

    The event, which held at the Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, on April 28, witnessed various energetic displays of talents by Nigerian youths who mesmerized the audience with unique dance steps.

    Leticia Bertrand, Chairperson of Artificial Intelligence for Africa Empowerment Foundation, stated that the occasion was a testament to the power of dance in uniting people, cultures and generations.

    “Dance is more than just movement. It is a language, a form of expression and a way of life. It has the ability to evoke emotions, tell stories, and bring people together like nothing else can.

    “In Nigeria, we are blessed with a rich cultural heritage, and dance plays a significant role in our traditions and customs. Our dances are a reflection of our history, our people and our resilience,” she noted.

    Bertrand, on behalf of SPAN Founder Sarah Boulous, urged the participants, dancers, choreographers and instructors to use dance as a tool for artistic expression, social change and cultural exchange.

    Precious Naador, Marketing Executive at Alliance de Française de Lagos, said the partnership with SPAN, and the support from the French Embassy, provided a podium for upcoming dancers to showcase their skills to a wider audience.

    “This platform puts them in a position where they can be invited to perform at different events. We all know dancing is no longer only a hobby, it has become a thriving industry where dancers can make a living.

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    “We have the contacts to help them grow; there are competitions and cultural exchanges through residences. I encouraged other dancers to use this opportunity to project themselves to the world,” Naador added.

    The event featured energetic Afro Hip Hop moves of the Starkids and captivating ballet presentations by Brian & Andrea, and Monica & Elijah. The SPAN Dance Group and Samuel Betel performed Locking, Contemporary and Afro House.

    Hilary Jackson paid tribute to Michael Jackson by enacting the late pop star’s bops. Faculty of Breaks, Space Unlimited, OFUOBI, Footprints of David took turns to showcase an array of Nigerian and international dance forms.

    In attendance were AF Lagos Director, Marc Brebant; Board Member, Austin Aimankhu; Cultural Coordinator, Ladunni Lambo; Chijindu Chize, Head of Dance, SPAN; Temitayo Ajiboye, Communications Manager; Andre Okafor, Private Sector Engagement Manager, USAID Youth-Powered Ecosystem to Advance Urban Adolescent Health, among others.