The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has urged the Secretary Generals of various sports federations to adopt innovative strategies in their roles to enhance sports development across the country.
The call to action came during a strategic meeting held yesterday in Abuja, where Olopade expressed his admiration for the professional capabilities of the secretaries. “I must first say that, contrary to perceptions prior to my tenure alongside Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, I am both surprised and impressed with the expertise you all bring. You are among the finest sports minds in the nation, and we are proud to have you,” he stated.
However, recognising the need for continual improvement, Olopade challenged the secretaries to think creatively. “An innovative mindset is critical for growth, and I urge you to look within your federations to develop concepts that will enhance your performance and the quality of your organisations.”
Olopade, a self-proclaimed “pathological optimist,” emphasised the importance of creativity and dynamism in sports management. He reiterated his commitment to an open-door policy, inviting the secretaries to engage with him on pathways for progress within their federations.
Additionally, the Director General highlighted the NSC’s mandate of Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch, urging federations to apply these principles in their operations, particularly in presenting Nigeria’s athletes at international competitions.
“The welfare of Nigerian athletes is of paramount importance to the Commission,” Olopade asserted. “This is why we established the Elite and Podium Board, which has begun to make significant strides in grading our top athletes for various training grants.”
He also stressed the importance of representing athletes appropriately at international competitions. “All our top athletes in Category A of the Podium Board rankings will now travel in business class for international events. We must move beyond frivolous travel and focus on a scientific approach to sports management for optimal performance,” Olopade concluded.
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