The Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC) on Tuesday opened the Technical Session of the 2nd Nationwide Council on Sports activities in Calabar, Cross River State, unveiling a strategic roadmap geared toward deepening reforms and accelerating progress throughout Nigeria’s sports activities ecosystem beneath President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Declaring the session open, NSC Director-Normal, Honourable Bukola Olopade, described the Technical Session because the “engine room” for Nigeria’s sports activities coverage growth, noting that choices reached on the discussion board would considerably affect the nation’s sports activities path in 2025 and past.
Olopade highlighted the Fee’s progress beneath the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports activities and Empowerment (RHINSE), citing developments in infrastructure renewal, athlete growth pathways, improved governance techniques, and increasing private-sector partnerships. He reaffirmed the Fee’s dedication to driving commercialization and strengthening athlete welfare nationwide.
Presenting the Council’s 2025 aims, Director of Planning, Analysis and Statistics, Dr. Olufisayo Funke Darryl-Odiaka, outlined precedence areas together with improved federal–state coordination, enhanced athlete welfare, operational effectivity, competitors preparedness, well timed funding, and clear implementation deadlines for all states.
Cross River State Commissioner for Sports activities Growth, Hon. Agnes Atsu, welcomed individuals and introduced the state’s current achievements in sports activities growth, such because the Agbokim Inexperienced Marathon, Skate-Ta-Thon, Queens Cup, and the revival of the Governor’s Cup. She reaffirmed Governor Bassey Otu’s dedication to leveraging sports activities for youth empowerment and financial progress, whereas inviting delegates to the 2025 Carnival Calabar.
Goodwill messages from Comrade Philip Shaibu of the Nationwide Institute for Sports activities, Ebonyi State Director of Sports activities, Maxwell Utobo, and Blended Martial Arts Federation Vice President, Mario Wanny, applauded the Fee’s reforms and urged sustained professionalism and accountability throughout the sector.
A significant spotlight of the session was a technical paper presentation on Danger Administration and Insurance coverage in Sports activities by EMPLE Nigeria, which emphasised the urgency of instituting athlete life insurance coverage, journey insurance coverage, occasion protection, and legal responsibility safety—crucial elements for contemporary and protected sports activities administration.
The session additionally featured the presentation of key memos from departments such because the Nationwide Sports activities Pageant and Para-Sports activities, Grassroots Sports activities Growth, and Anti-Doping. These memos, containing updates and coverage suggestions, can be reviewed on the Council Plenary for closing approval.
The Technical Session continues all through the week as states, administrators, and specialists deliberate on strategic suggestions that can form Nigeria’s sports activities coverage path for 2025.
