Sports is a platform that can make someone previously unknown become a known figure and celebrated worldwide. This according to Alhaji Jibrin Saidu, secretary, Commonwealth Handball Federation.
Speaking to sports journalists on the sidelines of the Nigerian Sports National Merit Awards 2024 ceremony held Last weekend in Abuja.
Saidu, a recipient of the Best performing International sports association member in Nigeria award at the event
reiterated the importance of hardwork, dedication and commitment to achieve greatness in sports.
Saidu, a board member of the Nigerian handball Federation NHF and the Chairman of Kogi state handball Association gave examples of sportsmen like the former Super eagles captain, Mikel Obi and the legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona as examples of people sports has made a household names.
“You may be Mr Nobody but through sports you can find yourself at the top”
“Look at Mikel Obi, he is known all over the world, his father maybe Mr Nobody but Mikel made his family a great family,” Saidu pointed out.
“Maradona comes from a very remote area in Argentina but he died a Hero”.
On the re-introduction of the National sports commission NSC and the appointment of Mallam Shehu Dikko as chairman, Seidu he has been one of those clamouring for the return of the NSC citing the tenure of Mallam Alhassan Yakmut when the country excelled at the 2015 All African Games in Congo Brazaville.
Seidu said his expectations is to see Mallam Shehu Dikko surpass the achievements of Alhassan Yakmut.
” I am one of those clamouring for the return of the National sports commission, if you remember the period of Alhassan Yakmut, you see sports professionalism and artistry at play”, he said.
Yakmut showed that a professional sport administration will exhibit true sportsmanship” Saidu said.
“Nigeria excelled at that All African Games and came back with great laurels and the country came out proud “
“Our wish and prayers for Dikko is for him to surpass Yakmut’s achievements,” he said.
He however advised the new Chairman of the NSC to go through the grassroots for proper sports development.
Other recipients of awards on the night include; Senator Jarigbe Agbom Jarigbe, Best Performing, Senator on sports in Nigeria, Adedapo Akiode, Best performing sports Foundation in Nigeria, General Christopher Musa, CDS, Nigerian Sports Order Merit Award and Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, Best performing clergyman in sports in Nigeria.
The highpoint of the awards night was the award of the Best performing traditional ruler in sports in Nigeria on the Guest speaker, Alhaji(Dr) Ahmad Aliyu.O. Onawo OON, the Aodoma of Doma in Nasarawa state.
