The National Sports Commission (NSC) has charged the Secretary Generals of various Sports Federations to have an innovative approach towards the discharge of their duties for an effective Sports Development Goal.
The Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade gave the charge when he held a strategic meeting with all the various Secretaries of the National Sports Federations on Tuesday in Abuja.
He stated: “I must first of all say to you all that contrary to what is being perceived out there before myself and the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko came on board, I am shocked, surprised and very impressed with the professional qualities of all of you. You all are some of the best Sports brains we have in this country and we are proud to have you.
“But as we know there is always room for improvement and that is why I have called for this meeting to spur you for bigger challenges ahead
“An Innovative mind is very vital for growth, therefore, I am challenging your intelligent minds to look inwards and come up with concepts that will enhance your output and the qualities of the Federations.”
Olapade also re-emphasised the Commission’s Reset, Refocus and Relaunch mandate to the secretaries and the need for them to apply it in the organisation of their activities especially as it regards the image of the country’s athletes at international competitions.
He maintained that the welfare of the athletes is of utmost importance to the Commission, saying that was why the Elite and Podium board was established.
Olapade said they have started seeing their work in the area of grading top athletes for different categories of training grants.
He added: “And it is therefore important for the various Secretary Generals to know that the way we fly and dress our athletes for international competitions is also very important in high performance.
“All our top Athletes in Category A of the Podium Board rankings will no longer fly anything less than a business class for International Competitions. No more jamboree travelling but we must scientifically look at the way we run our Sports for High Performance results.”.