Fed Govt Must Establish A National Reward System For Sporting Excellence

The Federal Government of Nigeria deserves commendation for its growing commitment to recognising and rewarding athletes who bring honour to the country, but there is a need to establish a clearly defined and sustainable reward system that cuts across all sports.

Through the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, there appears to be a renewed determination to change the narrative around sports administration, particularly in the area of athlete welfare, recognition and rewards.

This is a welcome development, and the leadership of the Commission deserves applause for making athletes and sporting achievements an increasingly important part of the national conversation.

However, commendation must also come with a call for more action.

Nigeria needs a national sporting reward policy, not a system that depends on occasional government interventions, individual decisions or the popularity of a particular sport.

The reward structure must be transparent, predictable and applicable to every sport, whether football, athletics, basketball, wrestling, weightlifting, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, boxing or any other recognised sporting discipline.

Every Nigerian athlete who climbs the podium, wins a continental championship or conquers the world in the country’s colours deserves to be recognised.

One glaring example is Nigeria’s Scrabble community.

Within the last 18 months, Nigerian players have delivered multiple continental and global titles across junior and senior categories, reinforcing the country’s reputation as one of the leading forces in international scrabble.

From African championships to world-level competitions, Nigerian players have consistently demonstrated excellence, discipline and competitive superiority.

They have flown the national flag, defeated opponents from different parts of the world and brought home honours that deserve national celebration.

Yet, despite these remarkable achievements, there has been no corresponding government reward or recognition for many of these accomplishments.

This raises an important question. Does sporting excellence only deserve government attention when it happens in the country’s most commercially popular sports?

The answer must be an emphatic NO!

A world champion in scrabble has brought honour to Nigeria just as a world champion in athletics, wrestling or any other sporting discipline has.

The value of national pride should not be determined by television ratings, commercial appeal or the size of a sport’s following.

This is why the NSC must take the next step by developing a comprehensive national reward framework that recognises sporting achievements across the board.

Such a framework should clearly establish reward categories based on the level of competition and achievement.

For instance:

(i) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Clearly defined financial rewards for gold, silver and bronze medallists, including world champions in recognised individual and team sports.

(ii) CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Appropriate rewards for athletes and teams who win African titles and other recognised continental competitions.

( iii) JUNIOR AND YOUTH COMPETITIONS: Recognition and rewards for young athletes who win honours at African and global levels, as they represent the future of Nigerian sports.

( iv) OLYMPIC AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES: A clearly communicated reward structure for medal-winning performances.

( v) TEAM SPORTS: Fair recognition for teams that achieve continental and global success, with transparent provisions for athletes and relevant technical personnel.

The policy should also provide for non-medal achievements where appropriate, particularly in competitions where qualification, records and other exceptional performances represent significant national milestones.

Most importantly, the criteria, reward amounts, eligibility requirements and payment timelines must be made public.

Athletes should not have to lobby, protest or wait indefinitely before the country acknowledges their sacrifices.

The government must also ensure that rewards are paid promptly, rather than allowing deserving athletes to become forgotten once the excitement surrounding their victories fades.

It is equally important that the NSC works with the various national sports federations to maintain an official record of international achievements, ensuring that no athlete or team is overlooked.

The message must be simple: If you represent Nigeria, compete at the highest level and bring home an honour, the country must recognise your contribution.

Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade have an opportunity to make this one of the defining legacies of the current sports administration.

Their efforts towards repositioning Nigerian sports deserve encouragement, but the next phase must be about institutionalising good policies rather than relying solely on individual interventions.

Nigeria cannot continue celebrating champions at the moment of victory only to leave them struggling for recognition and appreciation afterwards.

Our athletes invest years of sacrifice, training, discipline and personal resources to compete for the country. Some even shoulder expenses that should ordinarily be the responsibility of the system.

When they succeed, the least the nation can do is honour them appropriately.

This is not simply about money. It is about respect, motivation, fairness and building a sporting culture where excellence is valued irrespective of the discipline.

The Federal Government, through the NSC, must therefore take ownership of a national reward policy that covers all recognised sports and all levels of international competition.

Football must not be the only sport that enjoys national appreciation. Athletics must not be the only sport whose champions are celebrated. And Scrabble, alongside other less-publicised sports, must not be forgotten simply because their achievements do not always dominate the headlines.

Nigeria has champions across different sporting disciplines. It is time for the country to treat them as national assets.

The NSC has started changing the narrative. Now, it must go further and establish a reward system that guarantees that every Nigerian sporting champion gets the recognition deserved.

Because when athletes win for Nigeria, Nigeria must also win for its athletes.