How NIS Revolutionised Traditional Sports In Nigeria- Adeogun

IKPO IGBINOBA 

One of the leading authorities in Traditional sports in Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Adeogun has revealed how the National Institute for Sports, NIS boosted the sector.

Mr. Adeogun who was speaking at a seminar organised by the Lagos State Traditional Sports Association at the Mobolaji Sports Centre at Rowe  Park, Yaba said it was the NIS that triggered a massive revolution of Traditional Sports by accepting its syllabus and incorporating it into the school’s curriculum.

According to him “In 1999, a think tank headed by Mr. Elias Yusuf presented a syllabus for Traditional Sports to the NIS which they approved and incorporated into their curriculum.

“With that singular act by the NIS, Traditional sports became very popular as many flocked to the NIS to acquire coaching certificates”.

“I was a pioneer student at the NIS for Higher Diploma in coaching for Traditional sports. 

“Today, I am a lecturer at the NIS teaching traditional sports.”

“Since then a lot of people have come to the NIS  to acquire certificates in the coaching of traditional sports 

Mr. Adeogun said the NIS should be given all the credit for the popularity of traditional sports in the country.

“Today without mincing words, traditional sports are the most popular sports in the country and  this enviable profile is due to the support of the NIS”

Apart from turning out coaches every year,  Mr. Adeogun said the NIS also trained administrators to manage traditional sports.

The one time Technical Adviser of the Traditional Sports Federation also paid glowing tribute to NIS top guns who helped in the development of the sector.

He told the audience at the seminar “Whatever height traditional sports occupy today in Nigeria is due to the support of the NIS. 

“However the role of some individuals in the NIS must be acknowledged. 

“The individuals who were behind the scene working tirelessly to ensure that Traditional Sports attained its present height include Dr. Jimmy Adeniyi, Director, Coaching and Training in the NIS, Mrs. Christine Omonode, late Prof  Andrew Ajidua, late John Mamud Dadi, former director of the NIS”.

Mr. Adeogun appealed to the authorities to treat products of the NIS with respect because the institute offers quality education in traditional sports and other disciplines in its curriculum.