School sports important in national development, says NSC Chairman
By Tosin Omojola
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has emphasized the essential role of schools and universities in advancing sports development across Nigeria.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) on Tuesday, Dikko emphasized that educational institutions are fundamental to nurturing young talent and building a solid foundation for the nation’s sports future.
Dikko stressed that collaborating with educational institutions to improve sports facilities, coaching, and training programs will pave the way for identifying and grooming future athletes who can represent Nigeria both nationally and internationally.
The NUGA delegation, led by its President, Bawa Muhammed, expressed strong confidence in Dikko’s leadership, citing his extensive experience as a sports administrator. Muhammed noted that NUGA shares Dikko’s vision of elevating sports in Nigeria and highlighted the international potential of university athletes.
He mentioned that university athletes won approximately 35% of the medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, setting a benchmark that NUGA aims to achieve for Nigerian sports.
Reflecting on the legacy of the NUGA Games, Dikko fondly recalled his time as a student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where student-athletes eagerly competed for a place in the Games. “The NUGA Games is a tournament that every student wants to be part of,” he said, emphasizing that NUGA plays a key role in sustainable sports development in Nigeria.
Dikko pointed to the success of student-athletes from four California universities, who won a combined 89 medals at the last Olympics, with Stanford University alone securing 39 medals.
He noted that such achievements highlight the importance of educational institutions in sports and expressed hope that Nigeria could draw inspiration from this model.
As part of the NSC’s commitment to grassroots and school-based sports, Dikko highlighted the need for partnerships with NUGA and the Ministry of Education to secure private funding for infrastructure and training in universities.
“With the right facilities and coaching, we can cultivate young talent that will naturally bring medals and achievements for Nigeria,” he said.
Dikko assured the delegation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to reviving school sports in Nigeria. He outlined the NSC’s short-term goal of restoring the NUGA Games to its former glory, while the long-term objective is to establish Centers of Excellence across the country, starting with one university in each geopolitical zone and selected primary and secondary schools in collaboration with state governments. This strategy aims to create a clear pathway for identifying and nurturing young athletes without compromising their education.
Dikko also stated the NSC’s expectations from sports federations, noting that only those with concrete, sustainable development plans would receive approval and funding support for international competitions.
“It’s not just about tournaments but about real development,” he concluded. “We need to work with NUGA, collaborate with education ministries, and build robust sports programs within schools.”
He affirmed the NSC’s dedication to strengthening sports at all educational levels across Nigeria.
