The Director-General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade (middle) flanked to his right by the SSA to the President on Grassroots Sports Mr. Adeboye Adeyinka and to his right by the President of SWAN, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, during the press briefing by NSC leadership at the 9th National Youth Games, in Asaba, Delta State.

The Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade have reaffirmed the Commission’s unity and commitment to advancing Nigerian sports, stressing that the leadership remains one family working with one vision.

Addressing journalists at a press conference during the ongoing 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, the NSC leadership dismissed reports of rancor or division within the Commission.

"We want to make it clear that there is no rancor, no quarrel, no division. The Commission is one family, working together to reposition sports in Nigeria. Negative stories being circulated about the Commission are unfounded and must be put to rest,” they said.

The Chairman and the DG emphasized that the leadership of the Commission enjoys cordial working relationships, adding that all principal officers, directors, and stakeholders are on the same page in driving the policies and programmes of the NSC. Accordingly

they noted that such harmony is essential for stability and progress in the sporting sector.

They further assured that under the current leadership, the Commission will continue to operate as a collective, where mutual respect and teamwork remain the foundation for decision-making and service delivery.

The NSC Chairman and the Director General has highlighted its commitment to promoting women’s participation in sports governance. It announced that the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) has been formally recognized as a stakeholder in the governance structure of National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Meanwhile, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, pledged the association’s continued support to the NSC. He assured that SWAN will encourage its members to uphold professionalism in their reportage and refrain from negative narratives that undermine the progress of Nigerian sports.

They also disclosed that the state to host the 10th edition of the National Youth Games will be unveiled at the closing ceremony.

Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi FCAI ANIPR

Director (Information and PR)

August 31, 2025