NSC partners telecom agency, Galaxy Backbone to digitize sports facilities
By Tosin Omojola
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced plans to collaborate with information and communications technology services provider, Galaxy Backbone, to digitalize stadia facilities and infrastructure nationwide, aligning with global trends in sports technology.
The Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of Galaxy Backbone to his office at the National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday.
Dikko highlighted the commission’s commitment to ensuring all stadia and sporting infrastructure are ICT-compliant, meeting international standards.
“One of the foundations of hosting a world-class event is the digitalization of all stadia facilities and infrastructure. As a country, we should not lag behind. We must ensure our domestic sports infrastructure is functional and digitally enabled before we aim for global platforms,” Dikko stated.
He assured the Galaxy Backbone team of the NSC’s readiness to collaborate, particularly as the National Sports Festival approaches. Dikko emphasized that all 12 venues for the festival must be digitized to enhance operational efficiency.
He also shared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria to have at least six world-class stadia, one in each geopolitical zone, capable of hosting international events. “This underscores the urgency of upgrading our major sporting infrastructure with stable and consistent ICT solutions,” he added.
Dikko further proposed the introduction of e-gaming in sports centers across the country, noting its potential for youth engagement and commercial benefits.
Earlier, the leader of the Galaxy Backbone team, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, expressed the organization’s willingness to partner with the NSC to drive the digital transformation of sports facilities.
As a federal government agency, Galaxy Backbone has been providing connectivity services to ministries, departments, and agencies, and Adeyanju emphasized that sports infrastructure should not be left behind in this digital revolution.
