Mr. Anthony Dele Daniel of PMI Nigeria has emphasized that every sporting event should be treated as a structured project requiring proper planning, leadership, budgeting, risk management, and execution for successful delivery.
READ ALSO: 2026 FIFA World Cup: Bukayo Saka, Carney Chukwuemeka, Folarin Balogun Among 15 Nigerian-Descent Stars Representing Other Countries
Daniel spoke during a masterclass webinar themed “Project Management and Leadership Skills in Modern Sports Ecosystem,” organized by the AMAPRO Africa Development Program in partnership with the Project Management Institute (PMI) Nigeria on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Kwara State.
The programme, which also attracted virtual participants, was designed to equip sports administrators, coaches, club owners, sports journalists, and other stakeholders with global-standard project management principles aimed at building effective structures within the sports industry.
The high-impact training featured facilitators from PMI Nigeria who delivered lectures on project management and leadership skills relevant to the evolving sports ecosystem.
Speaking virtually during the session, Daniel explained that successful project delivery begins with clearly defining scope, deliverables, goals, boundaries, timelines, milestones, and deadlines.
According to him, effective allocation and monitoring of resources are critical to avoiding overspending, while consistent performance tracking helps identify challenges early and allows for timely adjustments to plans.
He also stressed the importance of leadership in sports project management, noting that motivating teams, coordinating stakeholders, and maintaining effective communication are essential for achieving outstanding results.
Another facilitator from PMI Nigeria, Mrs. Adekemi Oyewusi, highlighted the growing importance of integrating project management and leadership skills into the modern sports ecosystem to ensure professionalism and sustainability.
One of the participants, Technical Adviser of Kwara United, Ashifat Suleiman, described the programme as impactful and beneficial.
“Knowledge is a continuous process. This program has helped improve managerial skills. It is a very good program,” he said.
In her remarks, Board Member of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mrs. Monisola Makanjuola, commended the organisers for their commitment to capacity building within the sports sector.
The brain behind the AMAPRO Africa Development Program, Mr. Shogo Shodunnke, said the initiative was aimed at improving leadership capacity and enhancing knowledge within Africa’s sports ecosystem to compete favourably with other rapidly developing sports industries across the continent.
He noted that the programme would help participants better understand how to maximize opportunities within the sports ecosystem in their respective communities.
Shodunnke added that adopting professional project management practices in sports administration would help transform the sector and contribute significantly to economic growth.
He further emphasized that a properly structured and productive sports ecosystem would create positive impacts across communities and improve lives through sports development.
He urged stakeholders to remain committed and continue contributing actively toward achieving sustainable growth in the industry.
The programme attracted over 100 physical and virtual participants, including sports administrators, coaches, club owners, sports journalists, and other stakeholders, all of whom received certificates of participation at the end of the training.
