States to start enjoying NOC programmes
To improve Communication and the impact of its programmes, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has resolved to hold more of its International Olympic Committee (IOC) sponsored Solidarity Training courses and workshops outside the traditional hubs of Abuja and Lagos.
The Committee resolved this during its first Executive Committee meeting since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, even as it acknowledged that the feedback from the field had shown a more significant misunderstanding of its role.
A statement released by Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of the Committee, noted that staging most of its programmes in the states is one of the best ways to tackle the problem.
“These States have demonstrated their effectiveness in implementing the messages of the Movement.
The Committee has then pleaded with State Governments to accept to provide the enabling environment for sports Commissions or Councils to host Olympic programmes.
”We believe these programmes will strengthen the administration and management of sports and invariably improve sports.
“This will create a multiplier effect.’’ The Committee extensively discussed Team Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The NOC acknowledged that although the team did not perform well overall, but acknowledged that despite this, at least eight athletes received certificates for improved performances.
They are: Ese Brume – Athletics – 5th Place in Long Jump (W)
Favour Ofili – Athletics – 6th Place in 200m (W)
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – Athletics – 6th Place in Shotput (Men)
Samuel Ogazi – Athletics -7th Place – 400m (Men)
Rafiatu Folashade Lawal- Weightlifting – 5th Place in 59kg (W)
Joy Ogbonne Eze – Weightifting -7h Place in 71kg (W)
Blessing Oborodudu – Wrestling Freestyle – 5th Place in Freestyle – 68kg (W)
Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye – Wresting Freestyle – 8th Place in 57kg (Ww)
It also includes The badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, who was hailed for improved performance. The National Basketball team, De Tigress, was adjudged the most improved team, and its coach was singled out for recognition as the best coach.
This is the first African team in the sport, male or female, to reach the quarter-final of any Olympic Games. The NOC praised the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Grand Patron of NOC, and the Federal Government for sponsoring and supporting Team Nigeria.
The NOC Executive Committee also praised Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports, for his hard work during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Committee stressed the need for timely and yearly funding release to facilitate more meaningful pre-Games preparations and qualifications.
By taking the NOC’s programmes to the various States, the committee hopes to muster greater awareness and adoption of Olympic values while identifying and nurturing young sporting talents nationwide.
This strategic shift according to the Olympic Committee is a crucial step in Nigeria’s quest to become a consistent powerhouse on the Olympic stage.
Nezieanya noted that the committee also discussed upcoming programmes and sporting competitions that require urgent attention, which includes; Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, in December 2025,
the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2025, the African Beach Games in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in October 2025 and the African School Sports Games in Algiers, Algeria in 2025.
Others the Youth Olympic Games to be held in 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, United Kingdom in March 2026, the African Games in Egypt in 2027, the
Winter Olympic Games in Milano, Italy; and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games in the United States
The NOC commended states that played host to some of it’s programmes even as it appealed to Governments for more support to help it open up the sports sector, which can help employ, empower, and positively engage the youth.
On its Amuwo Odofin OlympAfric Sports Centre for youths the NOC noted that it’s not relenting in the complete development of the facility as it will help youths further develop their sporting skills when fully completed noting that the facility will eventually become a national Training Centre available to relevant national federations.
It also discussed the development of a Permanent Secretariat of the NOC on a parcel of land already allocated to it in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
