By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has inaugurated newly elected boards of Nigeria’s Para Sports Federations, charging them to drive reforms and align their activities with the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) agenda.
The elections, which produced new executives for seven Para Sports Federations, were widely described as free, fair and credible.
The federations include Amputee Football, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Soccer, Para Swimming, Para Volleyball and Para Badminton.
In the elections, former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Opukiri Michael Jones-Ere, emerged President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, with Joshua Dauda Bungon elected Vice President. Etti Rafiu Olawale was elected President of the Para Athletics Federation, while Mohammed Musa Nafiu became Vice President.
Sports philanthropist Kingsley James Awodi was unanimously elected President of the Para Powerlifting Federation, with Chief Akutekwe Patrick (MON) emerging as Vice President. Alhaji Kaka Mallam was elected President of the Nigeria Para Soccer Federation, while Sherifat Bola Araoye became Vice President.
Adeyemi Adeshina Adeola emerged President of the Para Swimming Federation, with Dr Ahmed Alao elected Vice President. In Para Volleyball, Muhammed Abbah Isa was elected President, while Hon. Jim Okolo became Vice President.
Speaking during the inauguration, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko described sports federations as the foundation of Nigeria’s sports development and urged the newly elected officials to build enduring legacies through effective leadership.
He said the Commission had provided the platform for stakeholders to contribute meaningfully towards building a sustainable sports economy, particularly within the para sports community.
Dikko added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to transforming Nigerian sports, stressing that para sports occupies a central place in the administration’s vision.
Also speaking, NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the newly elected executives, saying the quality of those elected reflects the growing attractiveness of Nigerian sports to competent professionals.
According to him, para sports remains a key priority for the Commission, expressing confidence that the new boards will support ongoing reforms and help elevate special sports in the country.
