December 10, (THEWILL) – The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced an initiative to transform athlete support through a comprehensive training fund for exceptional national sports representatives. During a meeting with sports federation leaders in Abuja, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade outlined ambitious plans set to revolutionise sports development in Nigeria.
Scheduled for launch in February 2025, the programme will fundamentally change how athletes receive financial support. Olopade emphasised a normative shift away from the previous practice of providing training grants at competition venues. “The days of athletes getting training grants at competition venues are gone,” he stated.
The NSC plans to establish two institutional frameworks through legislative acts: a national sports development fund and a national sports infrastructure board. These mechanisms aim to create a robust financial and infrastructural foundation that will support sports development across the country, addressing long-standing challenges in athletic preparation and support.
In a statement, Olopade highlighted the commission’s interest in emerging sports technologies. The organisation is actively exploring opportunities in the lucrative eSports industry, recognising its significant potential for growth and engagement.
“We are working on tapping into the millions of dollars in the eSports industry,” Olopade explained, indicating plans to structure a dedicated eSports federation.
Jude Obafemi, THEWILL
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.