Ado Salisu
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, says podium performances at the Olympics are not achieved by chance but through deliberate investment in grassroots sports development.
Dikko stated this in Abuja while hosting the TIG Nigeria gymnastics team, which recently returned victorious from the African International Club Championship in South Africa.
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He explained that the Commission has launched an aggressive grassroots development plan across all sports to build a strong pipeline of future champions.
“Our focus is on the big prizes at the African Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. That is why we established the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board to ensure sustained and professional support for elite athletes,” Dikko said.
“But we also know that you cannot build a house from the top. To achieve sustained Olympic success, we must develop podium performers from the grassroots and strengthen the conveyor belt of talent,” he added.
The NSC boss revealed that he has asked TIG Nigeria’s gymnastics coach, Tony Asuquo, to prepare a roadmap for nurturing gymnasts with the potential to compete at the 2028 Olympics and beyond, noting that the teenage years are the peak performance period for the sport.
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He also emphasized the importance of targeting the Youth Olympics as part of the preparation strategy.
“I monitored your performances in South Africa and was impressed with your early successes. Hopefully, you will grow to bring Olympic medals to Nigeria,” Dikko told the gymnasts.
Dikko assured the athletes and their parents of the Commission’s full support, particularly in providing modern facilities and equipment critical for gymnastics. He also commended parents for their commitment to their children’s sporting careers.
Earlier, Coach Asuquo thanked the NSC Chairman for his support and pledged to continue producing world-class talents capable of making Nigeria a global force in gymnastics.