By: Chinedum Ohanusi 

The National Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS) has tabled  ten recommendations to the National Sports Commission (NSC), headed by Mallam Shehu Dikko, and asserts that when fine-tuned and vigorously implemented, the nation will experience the accelerated growth, all Nigerians crave to see.

The leadership of NAWIS, led by Professor Mariam  Suleiman of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, dropped the roadmap, while on a courtesy visit to congratulate the Chairman of the new NSC, Mallam Dikko in his office, in Abuja, on Friday.

Top of the recommendations are; the appointment of qualified women to sports leadership positions, periodic training and retraining of women coaches and technical personnel, and prioritizing the welfare of female athletes (both active and retired).

"We also ask for  funding and general support, involvement of women in marketing and sponsorship drives; and ensuring that qualified female technical officials handle female matters, and provide chaperones for female teams,” she asserted.

These recommendations, she said are aimed at  promoting enhanced women’s participation and advancement in Nigerian sports; and are predicated on the significant contributions women have made to the country’s medal haul at recent major international games.

Prof. Suleiman  emphasized that Nigerian female athletes have consistently won medals and laurels, and saved the blushes of Nigeria in recent years, and that should earn them the buy-in of the NSC and federal government.

She stressed that "women are also crucial to achieving success in grassroots and elite sports; and the importance of treating female athletes with utmost care, shouldn't be exaggerated or trivialized".

While reassuring that NAWIS as an organization, are ever ready to offer its support and resources to the NSC; Prof. Suleiman also expressed the readiness of NAWIS to collaborate and contribute positively to all aspects of sports development in Nigeria.

"This visit reflects NAWIS trust in the new direction of the NSC, and aims to highlight athletes contributions, and the compelling need to foster sustainable changes".

NAWIS is a non-governmental organization, established to stimulate participation and advancement of girls, and women in sports in Nigeria.