DIKKO DECLARES ANOCA EXCO MEETING OPEN, SOLICITS SUPPORT FOR HOSTING RIGHTS OF INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko today virtually declared the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Executive Commitee (EXCO) meeting open in Abuja.

While congratulating the ANOCA EXCO, including Nigeria's Engr. Habu Gumel (treasurer), for their election at the ANOCA Annual Congress held in March 2025 in Algiers, Algeria , Mallam Dikko applauded ANOCA for their efforts at advancing the Olympic Charter in Africa. Furthermore, he assured the ANOCA EXCO of Nigeria's continued support as the host of ANOCA's headquarters.

"The continued stay of ANOCA headquarters in Abuja has the full backing of Federal Government of Nigeria. To this end, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is fully committed to giving whatever support or facilitation that is needed for your smooth operations and continuous stay in Nigeria", he said.

Mallam Dikko seized the opportunity to reecho the ongoing reforms in Nigerian sports.

His words, "We have set up the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE) programme with three pillars which aims to Reset, Refocus and Relaunch Nigerian sports. We are doing things differently now and taking the road less traveled as there is now more emphasis on domestic development of the sports rather than the international tournaments participation. We are fully seeking to harness the potentials of the sports economy and put our sports among the key drivers of the socio-economic development ."

He solicited ANOCA's support in ensuring that Nigeria is giving the rights to host as many international competitions as possible across all sports.

"We are vigorously working to refurbish and upscale our sporting facilities. Infact that’s the reason I am out of the country now, meeting with strategic partners that would help us deliver this ambition within the best international framework and standards. The plan is to host as many international tournaments as we can so as to keep our facilities busy, open up our country and indeed a foundation for our domestic sports development. So our doors are open to host these tournaments and we will need the support of ANOCA to secure the hosting rights", he added.

While wishing the delegates fruitful deliberations, the NSC Chairman declared the meeting open.

Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs)

Director (Information and PR)

NSC

14/4/25