President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF),
Bright Idahosa, has commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its
growing support for the sport, describing the inclusion of scrabble in the
maiden National Intermediate Games in Lagos as a major milestone for the game’s
development in Nigeria.
Idahosa said the decision to feature scrabble at the
youth-focused competition reflects the Commission’s commitment to expanding
opportunities for athletes beyond conventional sports and promoting a more
inclusive sporting culture.
“The National Sports Commission deserves commendation
for recognising the importance of scrabble and providing a platform for the
sport at the inaugural National Intermediate Games,” Idahosa said. “This
initiative is a significant step towards talent identification and development,
and it demonstrates the Commission’s willingness to support athletes across a
broad spectrum of sports.”
The NSF president expressed confidence that the
renewed attention being given to the sport would strengthen its case for a
return to the National Sports Festival when the next edition takes place in
Enugu.
“We remain optimistic that scrabble will be reinstated
in the National Sports Festival programme in Enugu. The sport has consistently
delivered medals and international honours for Nigeria, and its inclusion would
further enrich the festival as a true celebration of sporting excellence,” he
stated.
Idahosa also lauded the Director General of the
National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade, for what he described as
transformative leadership and a commitment to ensuring all sports receive
adequate recognition and support.
“Since assuming office, Honourable Bukola Olopade has
demonstrated exceptional leadership and a genuine passion for sports
development. His readiness to engage stakeholders and provide opportunities for
different sports is highly commendable,” he said.
According to Idahosa, Olopade’s support for scrabble
has been particularly encouraging, reflecting an understanding of the
importance of investing in sports that have consistently brought international
acclaim to Nigeria.
The NSF president further expressed appreciation to
the NSC boss for facilitating Team Nigeria’s participation at the Causeway
Championship in Thailand, describing the gesture as a strong statement of
support for Nigerian athletes competing on the global stage.
“We were delighted by the efforts made to ensure that
Team Nigeria participated in the Causeway Championship in Thailand. Such
support motivates athletes and administrators alike and demonstrates that the
Commission is committed to celebrating and promoting excellence wherever it is
achieved,” he added.
Highlighting scrabble’s achievements, Idahosa noted
that the sport occupies a unique position in Nigeria’s sporting history and
deserves increased backing from both government and the private sector.
“Only scrabble and athletics have produced senior
world champions for Nigeria. That is a remarkable accomplishment that should
not be overlooked,” he said.
“When a sport consistently delivers world champions,
it deserves sustained investment. We believe corporate organisations and
government institutions should partner more closely with the sport because the
opportunities for continued international success are enormous.”
Idahosa reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to
collaborating with the National Sports Commission to expand the reach of
scrabble, discover new talents and maintain Nigeria’s status as one of the
world’s leading scrabble nations.
With growing support from the NSC and renewed optimism
within the federation, stakeholders believe Nigerian scrabble is
well-positioned for sustained growth and greater success on the international
stage.
Comments:
Leave a Reply