Effort is being made to reposition the National Institute for Sports, NIS, for better services, the Director-General of the institute, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, has assured.
He gave the assurance on Friday on the sideline of inspection of some ongoing projects in the institute.
According to him, efforts are also being made to ensure that the NIS fulfills its core mandate without distractions.
“We are strategising and rebranding to bring better service to Nigeria. The Minister has called for our position on a move by some people to set up a parallel sports institute in Nigeria.
“We have written to the Corporate Affairs Commission to disassociate the NIS from this group.
“I believe these people are just testing the waters. We shall ensure that they do not distract us.
“Only government has the power to approve such an institute after going through the normal channels of appropriate legislation.
“But this new body are faceless; they are not known to us. We are still waiting from the response from CAC to know if we will have to involve security agencies about the illegal activities.
“Our main concern is about the unsuspecting public that might fall victims of illegal activities,” Mr Moronkola said.
The D-G said that since he assumed duty in 2021 he revived some legacy projects in the institute.
“A lot of things have been revived at the NIS with new courses; facilities are being upgraded.
“We have set up a state-of-the-art gymnasium, mini stadium.
“Students accommodation has been upscaled and also we constructing a120-bed new hostel.
“A new lecture theatre is also under construction and our library upgraded and well equiped.
“The Medical centre is upgraded with modern equipment.
“We are managing the little resources made available by government. We commend government for all the support,” he said.
He further said, “Some individuals have approached us for collaboration and we shall make the best of it to impact sports development in Nigeria.
“Staff need to be equipped so that they can pass the knowledge to other people. We are rejigging our curriculum and inviting seasoned professionals to take up courses at the Institute.
“People should support the NIS to achieve its core mandate and not working at cross purposes.
“We shall continue to do our best to ensure that the NIS meets the hope and aspirations of Nigerians,” Mr Moronkola said.
NAN
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