Nigeria Netball Federation board inaugurated , signaling new era for the sport
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially inaugurated the board of the Nigeria Netball Federation, marking a major step toward establishing a solid structure and legitimacy for netball in Nigeria.
At the inauguration ceremony held Tuesday in Abuja, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko highlighted the sport’s immense potential, noting that netball could provide Nigerian youths with opportunities to pursue their dreams and win international medals.
Dikko described the newly formed board as one of the most corporately aligned sports federations in the country, urging its members to focus on grassroots development while building toward elite performance.
“The potential of this sport is huge,” he said. “With the calibre of individuals on this board, Nigeria can become globally competitive in the near future.”
He also commended the federation’s governance framework, pointing to its clear constitution and five-year strategic plan as benchmarks for other sports bodies.
Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the inauguration as a historic moment, adding that netball could soon become one of Nigeria’s reliable medal-winning sports.
“These are exciting times for Nigerian sports,” Olopade said, attributing recent progress to strong governmental support. “We now have a federation capable of harnessing both local and international talent.”
He further praised the board’s inclusivity, noting the significant representation of women as a positive step for the sport’s growth.
President of the NNF, Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko, expressed appreciation to the NSC leadership for reviving a sport that had struggled for decades. She revealed that the board has already outlined strategic plans aimed at building a strong domestic framework and positioning Nigeria for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
According to Aluko, the federation’s structure includes 14 specialized commissions, each tasked with specific responsibilities, measurable quarterly targets, and direct accountability to the board.
She added that by 2029, the federation aims to deliver a fully equipped national netball complex along with four international-standard courts capable of hosting global and continental competitions in Nigeria.
The inauguration signals a renewed commitment to developing netball nationwide and integrating it into Nigeria’s broader sports success story.
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