NSC will restore Nigeria’s glory in global sports – Olopade
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has reiterated the Commission’s determination to return Nigeria to its glory days in international sports.
Olopade made this known during an interview with journalists at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.
He said the NSC, under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko, is committed to revitalising Nigeria’s sports sector through initiatives aimed at enabling Nigerian athletes to compete favourably on the global stage. He noted that Nigeria has abundant talent, requiring only the right infrastructure to thrive.
As Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the ongoing Gateway Games 2024, Olopade commended the facilities provided by the Dapo Abiodun-led government. He said the infrastructure would not only boost sports development in Ogun State but across Nigeria. He added that the NSC was focused on organising competitions to discover and develop talent while preparing athletes for international success.
He further highlighted the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes programme as one of the Commission’s initiatives to groom young athletes for future global competitions. He disclosed that the NSC is also working on other programmes to ensure regular competitions and increased exposure for athletes.
The former Ogun State Commissioner for Sports called on the private sector to partner with the NSC in achieving new heights in international sports. He encouraged businesses to leverage sports as a platform to promote their products and services globally at minimal cost.
According to him, sports remain one of the most effective means to reach billions of people with ease.
Olopade also praised the participating states at the National Sports Festival for their peaceful conduct and urged them to maintain the momentum. He assured that the Gateway Games would go down in history as one of the best editions of the National Sports Festival.
