WHY STAKEHOLDERS WANT HABU GUMEL BACK: THE LEGACY OF PROJECTS, ATHLETE SUPPORT AND OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT

By Ohis Asein

As the leadership race at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) draws closer, the possible return of its President, Engr. Habu Gumel, is already generating interest among stakeholders who point to a number of projects and initiatives delivered under his administration.

For supporters of the veteran sports administrator, the argument for continuity is anchored not merely on tenure, but on what they describe as tangible investments in sports infrastructure, athlete development, capacity building and Nigeria’s engagement with the international Olympic Movement.

Among the projects frequently cited is the Olympafrica Sports Development Centre at Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, which represents one of the most significant infrastructure achievements associated with the present NOC administration.

The centre has been completed, commissioned and is already operational, while development work has also commenced on the proposed Olympic Estate on the NOC’s 6.7-hectare property. The land, according to the NOC, had remained the subject of efforts by successive administrations for about four decades.

For stakeholders who have watched Nigerian sports struggle with inadequate facilities, the Amuwo Odofin development is being regarded as an important Olympic Movement legacy that could benefit athletes and the wider sporting community for years to come.

ABUJA SECRETARIAT COMPLEX: ANOTHER MAJOR LEGACY PROJECT

Another project being highlighted by supporters of Gumel is the acquisition of approximately five hectares of land in Abuja for the development of a new NOC Secretariat and associated sporting facilities.

Construction is currently ongoing at the site, providing the Olympic Committee with the prospect of having a purpose-built administrative headquarters and additional sports infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory.

Stakeholders believe that the project, when completed, will strengthen the institutional capacity of the NOC and provide a permanent base for the administration of Nigeria’s Olympic Movement.

INVESTING IN ATHLETES THROUGH TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS

Beyond physical infrastructure, athlete development remains one of the major pillars of the NOC’s intervention programmes.

Through collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the NOC has facilitated international and local training scholarships for elite and emerging Nigerian athletes.

Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the NOC says it secured international training scholarships for 19 Nigerian elite athletes, alongside team support grants for basketball and hockey.

Significantly, all 19 athletes qualified for the Games, with two going on to win medals.

Similar Olympic preparation scholarships were provided ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while other Nigerian athletes are currently benefiting from training support as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The scholarship initiative also extends to young athletes, with the NOC working with International Federations to identify promising talents and provide opportunities that can help them qualify for and prepare for the Youth Olympic Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and African Youth Games.

BUILDING COACHES, ADMINISTRATORS AND SPORTS MANAGERS

Gumel’s supporters also point to the NOC’s emphasis on capacity building as another area where the administration has made an impact.

Through its National Coaching Course initiative, the NOC, working with international partners, has provided technical training opportunities for about 300 Nigerian coaches across different Olympic sports federations over the past decade.

The intervention does not stop with coaches.

The NOC also runs National Sports Administration Courses and Advanced Sports Management programmes designed to improve the knowledge and professional capacity of sports administrators and managers across the country.

National Federations have also received direct financial support, within the limits of NOC resources, to assist with the implementation of their programmes.

The organisation’s capacity-building initiatives extend to sports medicine, paramilitary sports and tertiary institutions, while its women-in-sport programmes promote greater participation and gender balance.

Through the Olympic Values Education Programme, the NOC also collaborates with secondary schools and universities to promote Olympic ideals and values among Nigerian youths.

SUPPORTING NIGERIA’S PARTICIPATION IN MAJOR GAMES

At the heart of the NOC’s responsibilities is ensuring Nigeria’s accreditation, representation and participation at major international sporting events.

The committee continues to support Nigeria’s participation at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, African Games, Islamic Solidarity Games, World and African Beach Games and their respective youth competitions.

For supporters of Gumel, this broad international engagement demonstrates the importance of maintaining strong relationships with the global Olympic Movement and ensuring Nigerian athletes remain connected to international opportunities.

ACTIVELY BLACK DEAL: A NEW APPROACH TO ATHLETE KITTING

Another achievement being cited is the NOC’s 2024 agreement with Actively Black, a Texas-based American sports apparel company, for the supply and kitting of members of the Nigerian delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The agreement provided Nigerian athletes and officials with outfits covering opening and closing ceremonies, awards ceremonies, athletics competition wear and general delegation clothing.

The package included traditional and contemporary outfits, footwear, tracksuits, jackets, shirts, sports bras, tights, shorts, vests, backpacks and other accessories.

The breadth of the arrangement was significant because it sought to ensure that Nigerian athletes and officials were adequately kitted across different stages of the Olympic experience, from the opening ceremony to competition and medal ceremonies.

THE CASE FOR CONTINUITY

With the NOC election expected later in the year, the debate over leadership is likely to intensify.

Those advocating for Gumel’s return argue that the projects and programmes under his administration provide a strong case for continuity.

They point particularly to the combination of infrastructure development, athlete scholarships, coach education, sports administration training, international partnerships and improved delegation support.

For them, the question is not simply whether an individual should remain in office, but whether the projects already started should be allowed to reach full completion and whether the systems established for athlete development and capacity building should be sustained.

The Amuwo Odofin Olympic project and the Abuja Secretariat Complex are still developing, while athletes are already benefiting from scholarship and technical-support programmes.

As the NOC prepares for another leadership contest, stakeholders will ultimately have the opportunity to assess the competing visions for Nigeria’s Olympic Movement.

But for those backing Engr. Habu Gumel, the message is clear: continuity, consolidation and completion of ongoing projects are at the centre of their argument for another term.

And with Nigeria preparing a new generation of athletes for future Olympic and international competitions, the supporters of the incumbent NOC President believe his experience, international connections and record of projects make him a candidate worth retaining.