By Sadiq Abdullahi, Florida, USA

The Federation International Football Association (FIFA), International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), and International Tennis Federations (ITF) and other international sports organizations are fighting internal mismanagement and corruption within their organizations, setting the tone for a new national leadership.

The new sports minister Comrade Solomon Dalong may capitalize on the momentum to reform the sports sector as evidenced by the international organizations’ efforts to reform. He should begin first by restructuring National Sport Federations (NSF).

Presidents of NSF have continued to act unconstitutionally because federations do not have a standing constitution or bye-laws that check powers. For example, a president of a federation has been the president for 20 years without appreciable developmental program. Many do not have a comprehensive grassroots plan.

Comrade Dalong should now set the tone by restructuring NSF to be consistent with global trends and accomplished practices. The minister should do this because for too long NSF presidents have abused their authority and have been ineffective in their leadership. They hold the key to a successful sports sector reform.

As sports has become big global business and a tool for national unity and economic development, various institutions must respond. Due to lack of a functional national sports policy, many NSF presidents have allowed various issues and problems to fester, undermining grassroots development and elite athletes’ performance.

As the nation prepares for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil next summer, the National Sports Commission (NSC) should begin the preparation for new elections into the NSF.

Furthermore, as the global community moves in an era global accountability and transparency in sports management and governance, we should be ready as this may have implications for representation in these organizations.

The Buhari administration, represented by Comrade Dalong, has made the pledge to fulfill one of its campaign promises and is ready to combat youth unemployment. Sports can indeed provide the values, education, and employment.