A new era of cooperation between the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) is yielding tangible results for Team Nigeria’s athletes and officials at the maiden Africa Schools Sports in Annaba, Algeria.
The partnership has provided the team’s uniforms, boosting morale and making the team to focus on their performance.
NOC President Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, a sole member of the International Olympic Committee and IOC, in a statement on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of NOC Tony Nezianya, expressed his optimism about the partnership, saying, “This is what it ought to be. We are ending the mutual suspicion that tended to produce negative results in the past.”
He noted that the disunity that threatened previous campaigns is now a thing of the past.
The strategic planning of the NSC leadership has also been widely celebrated.
NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director-General Bukola Olopade arranged a direct charter flight for Team Nigeria, allowing the team to bypass significant logistical hurdles.
“The decisive action allowed the team to bypass significant logistical hurdles,” said a team official.
Nezianya said both Dikko and Olopade
are expected to arrive on July 28, 2025, after the Falcons’ final soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rabat, and will, therefore, miss the opening ceremonies of the tournament.
The team’s living arrangements have also been pleasant, with the Games’ Village located on the University of El Boni campus, featuring friendly residents – a population of friendly Pussycats that roam freely and accept treats from the athletes.
Persecondnews reports that with the partnership and logistical arrangements in place, Team Nigeria’s athletes are set to shine at the inaugural Africa Schools Games.
The event promises to be an exciting celebration of sports and youth talent from across the continent.

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