The Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Gen. Christopher Musa, has expressed the military readiness to partner with the National Institute for Sports(NIS) in the training and retraining of its coaches and athletes for ultimate performance.
The CDS also called on all stakeholders in sports to revive all grassroots sports across the states saying that sports remains an engine room to fight insecurity.
Gen. Christopher Musa, who said he still remains a member of the Edo State Handball Association, stressed that Nigeria is blessed with talents.
“Once we engage the youths, there will be no crime. In Nigeria, we are blessed with talents. I can assure you of the military readiness to collaborate and partner with National Institute for Sports in training and retraining of our coaches and athletes . Am an advocate of catch them young. We will give you the needed support in this direction,” he said.
Earlier, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu said that the institution management visited the CDS to seek for collaboration and partnership with the military and also to introduce themselves to the CDS.
The former Deputy Governor of Edo State stressed the need for individual, government and cooperate bodies to invest in sports adding that, “sports can deal with all aspects of the economy.
“Funny enough Sir, NIS was established 50 years ago, but can I tell you that the institution only break ground for 5 years. Since then, NIS has been in limbo.
“NIS is a training institution. It has the capacity to train all management of the sports eco-system, is our responsibility. Looking at the military structure in terms of sports, we will have no choice but to visit and seek for collaboration and partnership.”
While lamenting the death of state league across the country, Comrade Shaibu advocated for the return of the league pointing out that the league can employ thousands of young Nigerians, thereby reducing the rate of crime.
Comrade Shaibu, who also briefed the CDS of the core mandate of the institute, said he is ready to work along with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in ensuring the certificate of the institution is well recognized here in Nigeria and globally.
