Sports
NSC eyes international hosting rights
The National Sports Commission is stepping up efforts to secure international hosting rights as part of a broader plan to rebuild ageing facilities and reposition sport as a central driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, Tidesports source reports.
The strategy, according to the commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, is anchored in the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, a policy framework that outlines both the guiding principles and measurable outcomes of the reforms.
“When we launched the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, it clearly spelt out the fundamentals of what we want to achieve and the outcomes we expect,” Dikko told Tidesports source.
“You can see everything coming together, but we are just starting. As we have said, we have to do more, and we are going to do more.”
Dikko explained that hosting major competitions sits at the heart of that reset from the outset, and the commission resolved to pursue this as a catalyst for development deliberately.
“Because this is part of our vision and objectives from day one, we said we have to reset and refocus on our sport,” he said.
“Hosting major international events and conferences is part of that vision. We said whatever we are going to do, we have to be intentional and deliberate about it.”
The commission recently staged the Africa Running Conference and has already been offered the 2027 edition, a development Dikko believes underlines growing confidence in Nigeria’s capacity. He added that road running represents just one strand of a much wider ambition.
“It is not just about road running; it is about every sport. We want to be hosting events. That is the only way we can keep our infrastructure functional… and advance the sports economy we are talking about,” he said.
NSC Director General Bukola Olopade framed the hosting push as part of a broader production model designed to build talent and stimulate enterprise.
According to Olopade, Nigeria has sent more than 50 national teams to international competitions over the past year and hosted at least 12 events, in addition to domestic competitions such as the Gateway Games in Abeokuta.
“What we have consistently emphasised is the need to create a pool and a production line of talent, and to generate wealth by hosting international events in Nigeria,” Olopade told our correspondent, arguing that regular competitions on home soil provide athletes with exposure while strengthening the domestic sports market.
Dikko linked that approach directly to infrastructure renewal, pointing to provisions in the 2025 and 2026 federal budgets aimed at rehabilitating stadiums and facilities.
“If you check the 2025 and 2026 budgets, there is a major component dedicated to fixing infrastructure because without infrastructure, you cannot achieve much,” he said.
Dikko added that work is underway in partnership with state governments and private investors across the country.
“Where we want to build or rehabilitate a stadium, we are partnering with state governments and handing some facilities over to them. The Federal Government is also working with state governments to restore other stadiums since the President approved discussions with relevant authorities to bring back key facilities,” Dikko said.
“In Lagos, for instance, they are doing an excellent job rebuilding the National Stadium. They have almost demolished parts of it and are reconstructing it to meet modern standards. We are also handing it over to a private sector consortium that won the bid to manage and restore it.”
Olopade added that private sector involvement has been central to the commission’s momentum, crediting confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s reforms and the leadership team’s combined experience for attracting new commitments.
“With ease, Mallam Shehu Dikko can pick up the phone and speak to managing directors of multinational companies. I can do the same without hesitation. We have already put this into practice, and we are seeing traction,” he said.
He revealed that a private entity had committed to constructing a multi-million naira wrestling hall, while a gaming company had pledged to build a specialised facility for para-sports, adding that documentation was being compiled to demonstrate the direct and indirect economic impact of such initiatives.
Dikko also added that engagement with corporate Nigeria extended beyond headline sponsorship deals, disclosing that he recently met with representatives of the oil and gas sector in Abuja, where he urged them to look beyond organising sporting activities within their industry.
Just recently in Abuja, I hosted representatives from the oil and gas sector. Part of the discussion was that while they organise sports activities within their industry, they should also return to their companies and ensure that their CSR programmes invest in community sports infrastructure. Wherever they see available space in their communities, they should do something for sports,” Dikko said.
The commission’s ambitions have received public backing from President Tinubu, who announced a comprehensive reset of sports funding beginning from the 2026 fiscal year and pledging that sports funding will be released promptly going forward to avoid the bureaucratic delays that have historically disrupted preparation and participation.
For Dikko, the president’s endorsement signals a shift in how sport is viewed at the highest level of government.
Responding to early critics who dismissed the reform drive as rhetoric, he said recent developments spoke for themselves.
“Two weeks ago, Mr President personally tweeted on his official handle about the records of what sports achieved in 2025. Has that ever happened before in sports?” he questioned.
“There is nothing much to say; we are working. You can see what is happening.”
“Just recently in Abuja, I hosted representatives from the oil and gas sector. Part of the discussion was that while they organise sports activities within their industry, they should also return to their companies and ensure that their CSR programmes invest in community sports infrastructure. Wherever they see available space in their communities, they should do something for sports,” Dikko said.
The commission’s ambitions have received public backing from President Tinubu, who announced a comprehensive reset of sports funding beginning from the 2026 fiscal year and pledging that sports funding will be released promptly going forward to avoid the bureaucratic delays that have historically disrupted preparation and participation.
For Dikko, the president’s endorsement signals a shift in how sport is viewed at the highest level of government.
Responding to early critics who dismissed the reform drive as rhetoric, he said recent developments spoke for themselves.
“Two weeks ago, Mr President personally tweeted on his official handle about the records of what sports achieved in 2025. Has that ever happened before in sports?” he questioned.
“There is nothing much to say; we are working. You can see what is happening.”
Only Denmark, ranked 21st globally, sits higher among nations that failed to qualify for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
England and Chelsea legend John Terry was among those to voice his disappointment, describing Nigeria as a significant loss to a tournament that features 48 nations for the first time.
“Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals. They’re a great nation,” Terry said during a virtual roundtable session organised by SuperSport.
“I think they are a big miss because Nigeria probably would have gone further in the competition, but unfortunately, one side’s loss is another’s gain,” the former England captain added.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification. Nigeria kept their hopes alive with a playoff semi-final victory over Gabon before falling to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff final — their second successive absence from the World Cup after also missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign, but the appeal was dismissed.
Despite missing the World Cup, the Super Eagles remain Africa’s 3rd highest-ranked team behind Morocco, who sit seventh in the world, and Senegal. Algeria and Egypt complete the continent’s top five.
Defending champions Argentina enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked side, ahead of Spain, France, England and Portugal. Brazil are sixth, followed by Morocco, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on July 20, a day after the World Cup final.
Chima Akachukwu and Miracle Akhigbe are among the 16 notable stars picked by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for the forthcoming Namibia Tour, where the YellowGreens will compete in a T20 and 50-Over Tri-Series, featuring hosts Namibia and Hong Kong China.
Both players make their way back into the YellowGreens fold after periods away from the side and will be eager to contribute their experience and quality as Nigeria pursues success in Namibia.
The NCF said yesterday that the squad, which departs Nigeria today, forms part of the national team’s continued preparations for future international assignments as the YellowGreens seek to build on recent performances and strengthen their standing on the global stage.
Leading the squad is Captain Sulaimon Runsewe, who will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign against two formidable opponents in what promises to be a highly competitive series.
The selected squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talents, providing the technical crew an opportunity to assess player development and team combinations in both the T20 and 50-over formats.
The team will be led on tour by Coaches Leke Oyede and Tamuno John, who will oversee preparations and match operations during the opening phase of the series.
Joining the squad later in Namibia will be the newly appointed Head Coach and High Performance Manager, Stephen Magongo, whose arrival marks another significant step in the Federation’s commitment to strengthening the national team structure and enhancing player development pathways.
Supporting the coaching staff are Team Analyst Jamal Okechukwu, Strength and Conditioning Coach Seye Olympio, and Team Physiotherapist Timothy Adesomowo, forming a well-rounded technical crew focused on maximising player performance and welfare throughout the tour.
The NCF views the Namibia Tri-Series as an important platform for the continued growth of the national team, offering valuable international exposure and competitive match experience against quality opposition. The series will provide the players and technical crew with another opportunity to evaluate progress, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum ahead of future international competitions.
The YellowGreens will face Namibia and Hong Kong China in both T20 and 50-over contests, with the matches expected to test the team’s adaptability, discipline, and resilience in challenging conditions.
Blessing Otu on Monday overcame hard-fighting Kelvin Bebe- Emmanuella in two sets of 6-1, 6-3 to qualify for the second round of the women’s singles of the ongoing 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship, held at the Tennis Courts of the package “B” of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking after the round of 32 game, Otu, who will be 19 years old in September, said she capitalised on her opponent’s weaknesses to gain victory, having studied her game very well.
“Bebe is a very good and tough player. But I studied her game and did the job well.
“Although she tried to come back in the second set, I punctured all her tricks to win the match and move on. I wish I could continue like this in the rest of my games,” she said.
Another member of the Otu family, John Out, was also victorious as he defeated Mohammed Abdusalam 2-1 (6-2, 6-7, 6-1) in the men’s singles category to advance into the round of 32.
But the third Otu in the game, Thomas, was not that lucky as he lost by 6-0, 7-5 in two straight sets to Danjuma Isaac.
In other matches, Michael Emmanuel defeated Ibrahim Aminu to advance, while Drimiya Mevi outclassed Seyi Ogunsakin by beating him 2-1 (6-7, 6-3, 6-1). Action continues tomorrow when other top players, including the men’s singles top seed, Abua Cannice, join the chase for honours.