NSC Intensifies Grassroots Sports Development For Olympics Podium Performances
Podium performances at the Olympics are not accidental hence there must be a deliberate and intentional effort to develop sports at the grassroots as a driver for sustained success at the highest level.
This was the view of National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko while hosting the victorious TIG Nigeria gymnastics team just back from the African International Club Championship in South Africa.
To this end, the National Sports Commission is pursuing aggressive development of all sports to the grassroots.
His words, “Our eyes are on the big prizes at the highest level such as the African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics that is why we have set up the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board to ensure sustained and professional elite Atheletics Development.
But we also know that we have to develop these podium performers from the grassroots because you cannot build a house from the top. For a sustained success at the Olympics levels, we have to make sure that the conveyor belt of talents is strengthened.
“I have tasked the TIG gymnastics coach to give us a roadmap for the development pathway of these gymnasts, so that we know the ones that we can pick up and nurture with a projection on either the 2028 Olympics or beyond. This is so because I know that the peak period of gymnasts is actually in their teenage years.
“Before the Olympics, we have to target the Youth Olympics and we will be deliberate about this with specific athletes in mind. I monitored your performances in South Africa because I was getting regular updates and I must commend you.
” It is heart-warming to note that you have started winning at this early stage and hopefully, you will win medals for Nigeria at the Olympics.”
He assured the gymnasts and their parents of the Commission’s support as well as improved facilities.
“You can be assured that we will provide the enablers to ensure that you take this to the next level. Similarly we know that gymnastics is heavily dependent on modern equipment and we will do our best to make sure that you have the facilities that will help you actualize this goal”, he added.
Dikko also congratulated the parents for the immense support to the kids in pushing their choosing career forward and assured them of more support and collaboration from the Commission.
Earlier, the TIG coach Tony Asuquo thanked the NSC Chairman for the support thus far while promising to produce talents that will make Nigeria a global force in gymnastics.
