The fight against corruption and poor governance in Nigerian sports will take centre stage when presidents of the country’s National Sports Federations gather in Abuja for an International Olympic Committee-backed governance programme.
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) will host federation presidents at a two-day Good Governance Seminar scheduled for September 28 and 29, with transparency, accountability and integrity among the major issues on the agenda.
Supported by the International Olympic Committee through its Olympic Solidarity programme, the seminar is expected to strengthen the administrative capacity of officials responsible for managing Nigeria’s various sporting federations.
Significantly, participants will be taken through methods of identifying different forms and areas of corruption in sport and how such issues can be addressed.
The programme will also cover leadership principles, sports governance structures, effective federation management and the respective responsibilities of federation presidents and secretary-generals.
The focus moves attention beyond athletes and competitions to the administrators and structures responsible for the day-to-day management and development of Nigerian sport.
NOC Secretary-General Babatunde Popoola said the programme would provide an opportunity for federation leaders to exchange experiences and examine governance challenges affecting their organisations.
The IOC has appointed Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport and a MEMOS instructor in Governance and Sports Management, to facilitate the programme.
NOC President Habu Gumel has also reiterated the committee’s commitment to strengthening sports administration through education and capacity-building programmes.
National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko is expected to officially open the seminar.
With federation presidents occupying influential positions in decisions involving athletes, competitions, development programmes and organisational resources, the inclusion of corruption prevention and accountability on the agenda places increased emphasis on how Nigerian sporting bodies are managed away from the field of play.
The September seminar will therefore provide federation leaders with an opportunity not only to improve their administrative knowledge but also to examine how stronger governance structures can contribute to the development and credibility of Nigerian sport.
