The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed the military’s readiness to collaborate with the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in the training and retraining of coaches and athletes to achieve optimal performance.
General Musa stated this during a courtesy visit by the NIS management, led by its director-general, Comrade Philip Shaibu, at his office in Abuja on Wednesday. He emphasised the importance of grassroots sports events across Nigeria, saying sports is a vital tool in the fight against insecurity.
“Nigeria is blessed with talent. Engaging our youth in sports will significantly reduce crime rates. I assure you of the military’s commitment to partner with the National Institute for Sports in the training and retraining of our coaches and athletes. I am a strong advocate of the ‘catch them young’ philosophy, and we will provide the necessary support in this direction,” General Musa stated.
In his address, Comrade Philip Shaibu highlighted the purpose of their visit, which was to seek collaboration and partnership with the military while introducing the NIS leadership to the CDS.
The former deputy governor of Edo State underscored the necessity for individuals, government, and corporate entities to invest in sports, emphasising that “sports can address various economic challenges.”
Shaibu noted the historical context of the NIS, stating, “Interestingly, NIS was established 50 years ago, but it has only truly advanced in the past five years. Since then, the institution has been somewhat stagnant.”
Shaibu, in a statement released on Thursday’s morning by his SA media, Ben Ogbemudia, asserted that the NIS is a training institution capable of equipping all sectors of the sports ecosystem, stating, “Given the military’s organisational structure and involvement in sports, we have no option but to seek collaboration and partnership.”
Furthermore, Shaibu lamented the decline of state leagues across the country, advocating for their revival. He pointed out that reinstating these leagues could create thousands of job opportunities for young Nigerians, thereby helping to reduce crime rates.
The NIS DG also informed the CDS about the institute’s core mandate and expressed his readiness to align with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, ensuring that the institution’s certification is recognised both nationally and globally.
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