NSC inaugurates Elite Athletes/Podium Board with clear mandate for sustainable scientific podium performances

Posted : 03 February 2025

The National Sports Commission's Elite Athletes and Podium Board has been officially inaugurated by the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko.

The board, which has former Nigerian international Yusuf Ali as the Chief Executive Officer, has been charged with the responsibility to swing into action with the objective of ensuring a sustainable, scientific system for the discovery and welfare of Nigerian athletes, leading to better podium performances.

The NSC Chairman, Mallam Dikko, said the Elite Athletes and Podium Board has been established to solve all the lingering problems associated with Nigerian athletes and their performances at major international competitions.

"This is why, for the first time in Nigerian sports, we have created an annual budget line for all our major international competitions, such as the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games."

"The reason why we are calling this a board and not a committee is because a committee is temporary, but we want to make this a structural process that will outlive all of us."

"As the act is being reviewed, this particular board is among the new initiatives that will come under it and will be legally backed."

"This is also why we have a budget line to fund this particular board. This funding might not be enough, but it will show the direction the government is heading, which will stimulate the private sector," the Chairman explained.

The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the board has been given a clear mandate to identify the country’s priority sports and support others for enhanced performance.

"The Elite Board has also been given the responsibility to determine appropriate incentives for optimal athlete performance and to provide life-after-sports coaching for elite athletes."

"This committee will also conduct feasibility studies for high-performance and athlete development centers and recommend appropriate professionals and remuneration structures," he said.

Meanwhile, Special Senior Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has also charged the newly inaugurated board to live up to the expectations bestowed on them and ensure that Nigeria produces consistent podium performances.

The former Minister of Youth and Sports was a surprise guest of honor at the inauguration, with his presence further attesting to the unwavering commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the ongoing structural reforms in the Sports Commission.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board, Yusuf Ali, assured on behalf of the members that the board would deliver on the mandate given to them, and he thanked the leadership of the NSC for finding him and his members worthy of undertaking the task.

The members of the committee include Prof. Ken Anugweje (Member and Adviser), Olumide Bamiduro (Member and Secretary), Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Salihu Abubakar, Aku Aghazu, Tunde Adelakun, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi, and Mary Onyali.

Other members include Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi, Sunday Odebode, Olalekan Alabi, Otunba Sylvester Ikuejamoye (representing NAPHER-SD), Olumide Oyedeji (representing the Nigeria Olympic Committee), Isa Suleiman (representing PCN), Mrs. Opara Tecla, Adebimpe Adewale, and Shagaya Abdulmumeen.

NSC inaugurates Elite Athletes/Podium Board with clear mandate for sustainable scientific podium performances

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