The immense contributions of women in the nation’s sports development was once more on the front burner as the National Sports Commission on Tuesday May 5, inaugurated the board of the Nigeria Netball Federation.
In his speech at the event, the NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko pointed out that the desire to get the NNF up and running was fuelled by the fact that women had always hoisted the nation’s flag high in global sporting events.
His words, “We are just coming from the African Wrestling Championships where Nigeria emerged tops with the women winning the majority of the medals. Even at the just concluded World Athletics Relays, it was the women that put smiles on our faces. The impact of women in our sports is largely felt across all sports. When the women are on parade, we go to sleep, rest assured that they will deliver.
“I am pleased to see seventy percent of this Federation made up of women. This is a sport that will empower women. When we came into the Commission, we got calls from prominent Nigerians who wanted us to give more prominence to netball, a sport that we should have a comparative advantage of if well harnessed in the past.”
He revealed plans to make Nigeria a global force in netball.
“Most of the women in this Federation played the game when they were in school so the sport is in safe hands. There are plans to take it to the schools. There are girls who wouldn’t want to play basketball but would readily do netball. We are also in contact with players of Nigerian descent doing exploits in the diaspora who are keen to represent the nation in netball”, he added.
Director-General of the Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade is particularly elated at the quality of the Federation’s membership.
“When you look at the composition of this Federation, it is a testament to the good works we are doing in this Commission. We don’t just want the Federations to be populated by people who have nothing to contribute. I see people here with proven track records in sports. I am happy that they are going to operate the Commission module which means that every one of them will be actively involved. What we can assure you is that you can count on our support”, he said.
In her acceptance speech, the NNF President Dr. (Mrs) Esther Aluko while applauding the NSC leadership for according the Federation status on netball, highlighted plans to make the sport assume its rightful place in the country.
“For decades netball drifted without a joke, without a voice and without a champion at the level of government that could have reversed its fortunes. That changed the day the Honourable Chairman and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission made the bold, visionary decision to formally bring netball under the governance of the NSC through the Renewed Hope Agenda for sports administration in Nigeria. It gave this sport the institutional legitimacy, government recognition and the structural platform from which everything in the plan is possible”, she said.
Dr (mrs) Kehinde Ajayi FCAI,ANIPR
Director Information & PR
NSC
5/6/26
