Basketball Promoter and Initiator of Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark has expressed optimism in Nigerian Sports sector in the new year with coming onboard of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
This is contained in a statement signed by him, titled A New Dawn for Nigerian Sports in 2025,
The statement commends President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating a steadfast commitment to revitalizing Nigerian sports economy.
It emphasizes that National Sports Commission (NSC) must learn from past mistakes and avoid the ineffective practices that have hindered progress in the sector especially with the allocation over ₦78 billion in the 2025 budget specifically for sports development.
“As the world welcomes the year 2025, a wave of optimism is sweeping through the Nigerian sports community, fueled by the establishment of the National Sports Commission”
“This pivotal development marks a significant turning point in the nation’s sports framework, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the helm, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s sports economy”
The statement emphasizes that the NSC must learn from past mistakes and avoid the ineffective practices that have hindered progress in the sector.
The statement calls upon sports administrators to adopt a governance framework that prioritizes professionalism and accountability within the various sports federations.
“The current landscape is fraught with challenges, as many federations, including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), are plagued by internal conflicts and leadership issues”
According to the statement, Mark stresses that addressing these problems should be the NSC’s top priority if it hopes to succeed in its mission.
“As Nigeria gears up for the next FIFA World Cup, i urged the NSC to cleanse the federations of ineffective leadership warning that without critical reforms, the commission risks becoming a monumental failure, jeopardizing the future of sports in Nigeria”
It urges the athletes to seize the opportunities presented by the new sports framework adding that with the right support and infrastructure in place, Nigerian athletes can shine on the global stage and bring pride to the nation.
The statement also ask the passionate fans of Nigerian sports to continue their unwavering support for athletes and teams stressing that the energy and enthusiasm of fans serve as a vital source of motivation for athletes striving for success.”
It quotes that the inspiring words of Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
The statement calls on all stakeholders to rise to the challenge of transforming Nigerian sports, making 2025 a year to remember.
“In a bold move, the Nigerian government has allocated over ₦78 billion in the 2025 budget specifically for sports development. This substantial investment is a clear indication of the administration’s dedication to advancing sports in the country”
