By Sadiq  Abdullahi

There has never been a more opportune time for the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and the newly appointed Director-General, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye to clarify the vision and mission of the National Sports Commission (NSC) as sports federation boards settle to develop a comprehensive development plan and source for funding.

There is no better time for sports stakeholders to unite for change in the sports sector to protect the integrity of the sports industry. Patrick Omor-odion’s piece “When journalists are no longer stakeholders” offers the opportunity to write about the politics of sports development within the context of the recent National Sports Federation elections.

The path to sports development in Nigeria has always been rough, nasty and long, but as the nation wrestles with the new policy direction and the Abdullahi’s directives, all sports stakeholders including the press corps have to work together to avert the failure of not winning a medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

The Federal Govern-ment through the NSC has made its intentions clear. This is another strong attempt to reform a sector plagued with big challenges, issues, and problems. There is the need to not only be inclusive but to create and support an environment in which there will be increased mass participation, sports infrastructural development, drive for sports excellence, and a well-coordinated program that supports athletes’ development and progression to high performance.

Omo-rodion described how politics in the Nigerian Basketball Federation played. Raw politics returned individuals to various boards such as the Nigerian Tennis Federation, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, and the Handball Federation etc. A case in point, Omorodion writes, “while outside they argued while real stakeholders like retired Col. Sam Amedu were left out of the board, a common journalist was nominated.”

Law suits, allegations and claims will be longed. Col. Ahmedu’s case is good example of fairness, access, and equality. It is fine to say that “I want him (Ahmed) to know that there is always another time and that time could be his to mount the saddle.) We should endeavor to fight for justice and for what is right now and not wait another four years.

Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, in my assessment, has done well. If the NSC hopes to assist the 33 or so National Sports Federations to reposition themselves, this is time to go for it. We are in the tie-breaker of true transformation of the sports sector.

The focus now should shift to our preparation for the All African Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Rio Olympics, because the interest of the nation is greater and bigger than the interest of one individual. The future of the develop-ment and growth of sports in Nigeria requires innovative and creative thinking, and a bold and fearless leadership and the willingness to go beyond the status quo. Minister Abdullahi is running the second leg of a 4 by 100 meters very well and if he maintains the pace, Nigeria should do well going forward.