Nigeria Olympic Committee reserves 25% decision making positions for women

For inclusiveness of women in sports and the governing and administrative bodies of the Olympic Movement, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has set out to reserve 25 percent of decision-making positions for women on the Executive Board.

According to NOC, the decision became necessary following the low percentage of women in the governing and administrative bodies.

The President NOC, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, who disclosed this at the two-day seminar in Abuja on Tuesday, said for several decades, the International Olympic Committee has been very keen on issues relating to women in sports worldwide.

He said: “This seminar is very important, and it is taking place in order to encourage the involvement of women in sports.

“We want our women to develop so that they can be at the International level with other women all over the world.

“The seminar will help encourage them to be involved in officiating, in coaching, administration and so many other things that contribute to the development of sports in the country.

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“For decades running, the International Olympic Committee has been very keen on issues relating to Women in sports worldwide.

“The IOC, being desirous of ensuring the graduation of women involvement in sports, as an ongoing program set criteria for NOCs on minimal requirement for women participation in sports-both as athletes and administrators is not an option but a mandate.

“While the participation of women in physical activities and Olympic Games has steadily increased, the percentage of women in the governing and administrative bodies has remained low.

“In other to remedy this disparity, the NOC has set out objectives to reserve 25% of decision making positions for women on the Executive Board.”

According to Gumel, the present NOC administration has, through its various projects, added value to the Olympic Movement in Nigeria.

“The reconstitution of other key Commissions, such as the Technical, Marketing, Medical and Scientific Commissions are high points of our resolve to expand the focus of the Olympic Movement in Nigeria, through the use of experienced and enthusiastic sports men and women like you,” he said.