NSC chairman hails Deaf Eagles, pledges inclusive support for sports

Every sport is important and valuable under the current National Sports Commission (NSC) leadership, even as a standard reward policy for Nigerian sports is in the works with proposals and frameworks being developed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s final approval.

This much was revealed by the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, while welcoming the victorious Nigerian Deaf Eagles at the NSC Headquarters on Tuesday.

The team beat Gambia 5-2 on penalties after 1-1 in regulation time to win the 13th edition of the West African Deaf Football Championship held at the National Stadium, Abuja, with several countries within ECOWAS participating, such as Niger, Togo, Benin, Liberia, Gambia, Ivory Coast. It was their sixth title, having lost in the final on five separate editions.

An elated Dikko, while congratulating the team, informed them that, going forward, a uniform reward system is being worked on for Nigerian sports.

“I like what I saw when I watched your final Match against Gambia. You were so skilful that some fans were proposing that some of you may even compete at the Super Eagles level. All I can tell you is to remain focused and keep working hard.

“As long as you keep excelling in your field, we are working on a standard reward system for Nigerian sports, subject to the President’s approval. It’s only a matter of time, and you will also get the Presidential handshake and recognition,” he said.

The NSC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s every sport is valuable and important policy.

“We are here for all sports. We have created a platform for all sports to develop at their own pace and comparative advantage. We have no discrimination here. To us all sports are equal and due to be supported according to its comparative advantage. Our doors are always open to provide the enablers for you to even excel further,” he added.

While encouraging them to look beyond their physical deficiencies, Dikko promised to set machinery in motion to see how the Commission can support the contingent to the Deaflympics billed for Japan.

“We have noted all your complaints and requests and assure you that before the end of the month, we will sort out whatever is outstanding from the tournament you attended in Malaysia. By next year, we will try to make budgetary provisions to support this sport alongside other para sports as the NSC is very intentional and deliberate on inclusiveness,” he concluded.

Earlier, the President of Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation, Suleiman Dagbo Saka, thanked the NSC Chairman for his leadership style and open-door policy, which makes him a “father indeed” for Nigerian athletes. He pleaded for more government support to help them attain greater heights globally.

The Nigerian Deaf Eagles are ranked 11th in the Deaflympics as well as the Deaf World Cup.

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