Brume gets financial support as NSC activates ‘Adopt-an-Athlete’ training grant initiative

The National Sports Commission (NSC), on Wednesday, activated the “Adopt-an-Athlete Training Grant initiative” as Nigeria’s track and field sensation, Ese Brume, became the first recipient.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended one of its partners, Confetti Assets Limited, for its support while reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to drive sports development in Nigeria through a sustainable public-private partnership (PPP) model.

“We must create a system that does not solely depend on government funding but rather leverages private sector partnerships to achieve a thriving sports economy,” Dikko said.

The Director General, NSC, Bukola Olopade, said the Commission places the utmost premium on athletes’ welfare and development for optimum results.

“While we were strategising, something unfortunate happened to Ese Brume. She was involved in a ghastly motor accident, but to God be the glory, her life was spared.

“When we spoke, I asked her what I could tell the Chairman to do for her immediately. She made me proud when she said, ‘All I need right now is whatever the Commission can give me as a training grant to help me buy a small vehicle so I can continue my training because I want to win the World Championship in September next year.’ That touched me deeply,” Olopade said.

Olopade added that the Commission has activated an innovative approach to raising funds for athlete development, elite sports and grassroots initiatives.

“We have an ingenious way of raising funds through donations. With the chairman’s approval, we approached key stakeholders, particularly contractors involved in developing sports infrastructure nationwide. We told them it was time they started donating to a fund dedicated to grassroots development, elite athletes and Federations.

“Confetti Assets Limited and Faisa were the first to support this initiative, and today, we are here to celebrate these patriotic Nigerians who understand Mr President’s vision and the mandate of our chairman. We want to ensure that, in the near future, our athletes will have no excuse to say they were not supported,” the DG noted.

The Director General, who described the moment as symbolic, said it marked the official rollout of the Adopt-the-Athlete initiative under the new NSC, with Brume as its first beneficiary.

“Today is very significant as we collect the first training grant for the first athlete in a program we plan to launch fully in February 2025. And that first athlete is none other than Ese Brume, arguably one of the most decorated athletes Nigeria has ever produced.”

Chairman of Confetti Assets Limited, Benjamin Jonathan Ngoka, in his remarks, expressed his commitment to the initiative, pledging continued support for Nigeria’s sports sector.

“We are happy to key into this new vision for Nigerian sports. We understand the mandate of the National Sports Commission and will continue to play our part in supporting athletes and the broader vision of sports development,” Ngoka said.

Sporting Tribune reports that the Adopt-the-Athlete initiative aims to provide financial support for Nigerian athletes’ training and development and ensure that they have the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of global sports.

The DG added that training grants range from $30,000 to $5,000, depending on an athlete’s cadre, saying that Brume and Toni belong to the $30,000 level.

An elated Brume, who spoke through a video while appreciating the NSC and the sponsors, said the grants will go a long way for her and to win laurels for Nigeria.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE