NOC Urges NSC To Back Nigerians For International Sports Leadership Roles

The president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee has called on the National Sports Commission to intensify support for Nigerians seeking elective positions in continental and international sports bodies, warning that the country risks being sidelined in major decisions affecting global sports.

Speaking during the two-day retreat of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria at the ANOCA House in Abuja, the NOC president said Nigeria currently has too few representatives in influential international sports organisations.

He stressed that greater representation was necessary for the country to protect its interests and strengthen its influence in global sports administration.

“We have a very small number of our people in international associations and that is not good enough for Nigeria,” he said.

“That is why we are working hard with the support of the National Sports Commission to encourage presidents of national sports federations to seek election into their continental confederations and international bodies.”

The NOC president noted that Nigerian sports administrators interested in contesting such positions should seek backing from both the NSC and the Olympic Committee.

According to him, sports politics plays a decisive role during major international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games, the African Games and the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

“When you go for events like the Commonwealth Games, African Games and the Olympic Games, that is where you see the reality of sports politics. If you are not among the decision-makers, you will be left helpless,” he stated.

He therefore appealed to the NSC Chairman and Director-General to continue encouraging and supporting Nigerian sports administrators to occupy strategic positions globally.

The NOC president also congratulated the leadership of the Badminton Federation on what he described as a peaceful and successful election process, praising the federation president for securing a position on the board of the international badminton governing body.

He commended the leadership of the NSC for what he called remarkable progress in sports development, adding that the commission had also enjoyed strong backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The chairman and the Director-General are doing a lot for sports development in this country, and we are happy with what they are doing,” he said.

He added that the NOC would continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s voice and relevance in international sports administration.