By Ben Efe
The National Sports Commission Friday in Abuja inaugurated the Elite Athletes and Podium Development Board headed by Yusuf Alli.
And Nigeria Coaches Association president Gabriel Opuana has backed the former African long jump champion to do a good job of developing athletes across all sports who will deliver results for Nigeria at international competitions.
Nigeria, despite it’s rich reserve of sporting talents has always fell short of expectations at the big sports events. But with the establishment of the 13 member Elite Athletes and Podium Development Board, the NSC chairman Shehu Dikko and director-general Bukola Olopade are hopeful of a change in the narrative.
“Appointing Yusuf Alli as the chief executive officer of the board is the first right step of achieving that goal,” Opuana a former national hammer champion stated.
“Yusuf has track records as a sports administrator, he is passionate and he knows what to do to give us the results we want.”
Also speaking Athletics Coaches Association of Nigeria president Solomon Aliyu said there so much work to be done to up lift Nigerian sports, but he is optimistic the men in charge will live up to expectations.
“I’m excited about Yusuf Alli’s appointment. I trust and believe in the Three Heavy Weights at the helm of affairs, to move our sports to the standard sports should be in this Country.
“I also recognize the enormity of the quantum of work to be done, but they are more than capable to be achieving the desired results.”
The main aim of the Elite Athletes and Podium Development Board according the NSC director general is to ensure a sustainable podium performance at all international sports contests.
The 13-member board also include Prof. Ken Anugweje, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, Salihu Abubakar, Aku Aghazu, Tunde Adelakun and Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi, Mary Onyali, Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi, Sunday Odebode, Olalekan Alabi, Bamiduro Olumide and Mr Bambo Akanni
