By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has inaugurated newly elected boards for Nigeria’s Para Sports Federations, charging them to spearhead a new era of growth and align with the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE).
The elections, widely described as free, fair and credible, produced new leadership across seven federations: Amputee Football, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting, Para Soccer, Para Swimming, Para Volleyball and Para Badminton.
Among the newly elected officials are Opukiri Michael Jones-Ere as President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, Etti Rafiu Olawale as President of Para Athletics, Kingsley James Awodi as President of Para Powerlifting, Kaka Mallam as President of the Nigeria Para Soccer Federation, Adeyemi Adeola as President of Para Swimming, and Muhammed Isa as President of Para Volleyball. Vice presidents were also elected across the federations to complete the new executive boards.
Speaking during the inauguration, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko described the federations as the foundation of Nigeria’s sports development and urged the new boards to build lasting legacies through visionary leadership and professionalism.
“We have given you the platform to contribute your quota towards building a sustainable sports economy, especially within the Nigeria Para community,” Dikko said, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda places significant importance on the development of para sports.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the newly elected executives, noting that the calibre of leaders emerging from the elections reflects the growing appeal of Nigerian sports to competent stakeholders.
Olopade reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to expanding opportunities for para athletes, expressing confidence that the new boards would complement the NSC’s reform agenda and elevate special sports to greater heights.
