By Eddie Akalonu
Director General, National Sports Commi-ssion, NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has said he would make School Sports and grassroots development the focus of the Commission’s policy stating that these were the bedrock of sporting excellence in Nigeria in the past.

Speaking on a foreign radio station, Elegbeleye said that because schools were breeding grounds for athletes starting from very young ages, “there is now the need to go back to the schools because of their proximity to the people. Schools remain our best hopes for real sports development, being right in the heart of the people.

There would be focus on the grassroots with schools as centre of activity. That was the basis in times past when sports flourished. Nigeria’s participation in international sports would be pursued with renewed vigor and enhanced resources.

That is the basis to ensure discovery of athletes and be in pole position to maintain a rich bank of athletes on a long term,”he stated.

Meanwhile former Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF vice president, Yemi Owoseni, in a congratulatory message described the new Director-General as a man whose wealth of experience puts him in a good position to add more value and direction for sports.

He however, urged him to via off from past practice by being fair to all sports practiced in the country and ensuring even distribution of resources and amenities without football taking all the shine.

Owoseni, who is also the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) Zone Two Vice President, called the new DG’s attention to the need to evolve a strong sports policy that will foster rapid development of all sports in a way that national federations become more functional and result oriented.

Elegbeleye, the former chairman of Ondo State Table Tennis Association and former member of the House Committee on Sports, was also former Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Civil Service Commission.