By Ijeoma Okigbo/Aderonke Ojo
Philip Shaibu, the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) has applauded the institute’s `special committee’ for successfully submitting its report on institutional transformation and pledged its full implementation.
Speaking during the official presentation of the report on Tuesday in Abuja, the D-G, describing the team as “star-studded and result-oriented’’ added that the Institute would begin the implementation of the report.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a 32-member committee was set up in August tasked with the responsibility of setting a road map and mandate for the institute.
The team, comprised of professionals across sports, academia, corporate institutions, media was led by Musa Kida, president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
“NIS is the engine room of sports in Nigeria. When you train excellent coaches, they produce excellent athletes,’’ Shuaibu said while receiving the report.
“Our mandate is to bring NIS back to life and make it a true center of excellence not only for Nigeria but for Africa.
“I want to assure the chairman and the committee that this will not be another document that will go under the table or on the shelf.
“I can assure you that we are ready to work and we’ll look at all the recommendations, and we’ll see how we can implement them to the benefit of our country.
“We will be releasing a list of persons that will be in the advisory council for the implementation of this document, and you, Kida, will still head the implementation committee.
“So, it’s not a joking matter. We are in for business. It’s time to work. We will implement this document together to bring sport back to life.
“We have the interest of Mr President to make sport what it ought to be and make Nigeria the number one sporting destination in terms of tourism and the economic aspect of sport,” he said.
Shaibu urged the members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN) to be part of the journey to rejuvenate sports in the country.
” I urge all of you, members of SWAN and the media in general, to be part of this journey because if you don’t say it, nobody will understand it.
“When you say it, people will know it. We need to carry our people along as we implement this document.
Reacting to his comments, Kida thanked the D-G, on behalf of his team, for the opportunity given them to serve.
“On behalf of our committee, we are extremely grateful for the opportunity you have given us.
“We know you could have chosen many. So, we’re very appreciative of that fact.
“We do sincerely hope that this report will find a little place in the very long and big race that you are in, while revamping and revitalizing the NIS,’’ Kida added.
NAN reports that on assumption of duty at the NIS, Shaibu had reiterated his commitment to restoring the institute`s lost glory after years of neglect and institutional rot.(NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
