NSC, Abia State Government Forge Strategic Alliance to Boost Sports Economy
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, held a high-level meeting with the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, in Umuahia on Wednesday. The engagement focused on leveraging the untapped potential of the sports economy within Abia State and Nigeria at large.
Following the meeting, Mallam Dikko praised Governor Otti for aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE). The initiative, driven by the NSC, seeks to position sports as a major economic catalyst and a tool for national development.
In his remarks, the NSC Chairman stated:
“Indeed, I am very excited that His Excellency Governor Alex Otti has firmly keyed in and aligned to the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR targeted at making sports one of the key drivers of the economy in addition to its social impact in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) framework. To this end, Governor Otti is taking several intentional and deliberate steps as well as setting the necessary foundation for sustainable sports development and activation of the sports economy in the state.”
The deliberations broadly addressed Abia State’s holistic approach to sports development, with a strong focus on grassroots engagement and infrastructure expansion. Key highlights of the discussion included:
Preparations for Hosting Major International Events: Abia State’s readiness to host the 1st Abia International Para Badminton Championship (30th September – 5th October 2025) and the 2025 All African Para Badminton Championship (6th – 12th October 2025).
Stadium City Project: Plans to develop a world-class Stadium City featuring a FIFA-standard stadium capable of hosting international sporting events.
Relocation and Upgrade of Nsulu Games Village: The proposed establishment of a brand-new Abia Games Village to offer state-of-the-art infrastructure for athlete development at both the state and national levels.
Special Sports Economic Zone in Aba: The envisioned hub will focus on the local production of sports goods, apparel, and equipment to serve the Nigerian and West African markets. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on imports and boost local content in the sports manufacturing industry.
Institutional Reforms: Plans to restructure the Abia State Ministry of Sports into the Abia State Sports Commission, a move designed to professionalize sports administration and ensure alignment with the Federal Government’s structure.
In wrapping up the engagement, Governor Otti sought institutional backing and technical expertise from the NSC and the Federal Government to ensure the successful execution of these strategic projects. A collaborative framework was agreed upon, and further engagements are in the pipeline.
Mallam Dikko commended Governor Otti for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to integrating sports into the broader development agenda of Abia State.
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