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A delegation from the National Institute for Sports (NIS), led by the Registrar, Mr. Belmond Benson, has expressed satisfaction with the quality of sports facilities in Kwara State, noting that the state has the infrastructure and potential to accommodate an NIS office.
The delegation made this known during an inspection tour of sports facilities across the state to assess their suitability for coaching education, sports training and other professional programmes of the institute. Speaking during the visit, Benson explained that the NIS, under the leadership of H.E. Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, is committed to training coaches, sports administrators and other sports personnel, as well as identifying and nurturing talents for success at national and international competitions.
He commended the Kwara State Government for its investment in sports infrastructure, particularly the indoor sports hall, swimming pool and other facilities undergoing renovation. According to him, the quality of facilities inspected suggests that Kwara could become the first state outside Lagos to host an NIS office, subject to the necessary arrangements. He, however, stressed the importance of proper maintenance, noting that an NIS presence in the state would encourage regular use of the facilities through structured training programmes.
Benson also applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to sports development and commended the NIS Director-General, Comrade Philip Shaibu, for his efforts towards bringing the institute closer to the state. He further praised Kwara’s grassroots sports initiatives, particularly the involvement of children as young as three to five years in sporting activities, stressing that early talent identification was essential to building a sustainable sports development system.
Similarly, Dr. Remu Majoroh expressed satisfaction with the facilities inspected, noting that the infrastructure would provide a suitable environment for sports training and development. He explained that establishing an NIS office in Kwara would enable game masters, physical and health education teachers, and other sports personnel in primary and secondary schools to access professional training and certification without travelling to Lagos, Abuja or other states. He added that such training would equip them with the knowledge required to identify and nurture sporting talents from an early age.
In his response, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Adisa Mogaji, called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to consider hosting major national team fixtures, including Super Eagles and Super Falcons qualifying matches, in the state. He maintained that Kwara had the facilities required to host such high-profile matches and highlighted the state’s grassroots football structure, which includes under-13, under-14, under-15 and under-16 teams, alongside a youth league designed to develop young players for higher levels of competition.
The proposed establishment of an NIS office in Kwara State aligns with the institute’s commitment under the leadership of Comrade Philip Shaibu to expand access to professional sports education, strengthen coaching capacity and promote grassroots talent development. If successfully realised, the initiative would bring training opportunities closer to sports personnel in Kwara and neighbouring states while supporting the development of coaches and athletes capable of representing Nigeria at national and international level.
