By

Felly Mammah
  

    International Women’s Day is marked every March 8th across the globe. The Nigerian Women Olympic  Committee joins other women in the world to  celebrate this annaul apoc event with this year’s team as "ACCELERATE ACTION". To make their day really remarkable, they plan to have Novelty Match, Medical checks and Health talks in three zones comprising SouthWest, South East and North Central. In line with their mandate to ensure adequate representation of both the women and girls equality and to occupy their political positions that the men have dominated in the polity, as well as disseminate information of their progress to both the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC), the rhetorical question of "where are NOC Women in the global world of sport and National Sport Commissions" remains completely unanswered.

    Sport in the past especially football, wrestling and combat sports were seen to be men's past time events. People mocked and nicked named athletes as jumpology. Sports did not seem to have any relevance in carrier progression of life changer nor an area that can give recognition. Sport in the 70's and 80's was only an entertainment in schools Inter House  competition among students as part or their school curriculum that added life to them.. It was an open day that also, attracted parents, friends and sports council staff who where differentiated in attair that looked like scout uniform.

     The society's  interest never thought that athletics, track and feild events are great potentials aside education. Students who were discovered during such sports gatherings went on daily training but not with the vision of seeing a better tomorrow in sporting engagements. Sports was never seen as an area that could change misfortune and be enviable. Women were not encouraged to participate in sporting activities except the stubborn girls whose parents could not bear their educational responsibilities. Women who participated in sporting activities did so at their risk and of course to keep themselves busy.

 Much awareness was not publicised on the sports potentials because the interest of parents were channeled to professions like Law, Medicine, Engineering and Teaching . Even during the inter house sport competition, athletics marked the pick of other events mostly the relay events. But today sporting events are thus areas that offer one of the biggest prospects with assurances that athletes  can produce medals and be listed on the podium's table. The Para- Olympics athletes especially, have shown formidable determination that there's ability in disability.

    Major actors that have mapped out sporting programmes for youths and women in particular are the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), International Olympic Committee and the parent body which is the National Sports Commission. They have shown serious interest on NOC Women to be fully included  in sports in order for them to occupy their designated positions in International Olympics events. It was observed that the Women Commission were quite and didn't know how to assert their positions in the global sporting field unlike their counterparts. But the NOC President Engr Habu Gumel has consistently thrown his weight behind the women to strengthen their doggedness in physical  presentation and to boost their desperately desire to join the politics of sports rather than watch the men take advantage of  their disunity to  continue to dominate their positions in leadership.

   Engr. Habu Gumel has ensured that in all the NOC Committees, women have proper representation in line with International Olympics Committee (IOC) inclusion of women in their curriculum. The recognition of women by the IOC is to encourage them to conduct female affairs including that of the youths particularly the girl child as guided by the terms of reference in their leadership.The IOC till date supports the growth of women and further encourages them to independently source funds to enable them  execute their yearly programmes in collaboration with NOCs support. The IOC has also, proven its sincerity to support Nigerian Women sport by granting them opportunity to field a candidate for the Women Vice President (Africa). But the rhythoric questions here are "what Is the women’s participation in this new age of sport, why are they not clearly heard and what is their relationship with the National Sport Commission where the athletes are dominated in the federation's. 

   Since the repositioning of sport leadership by the President  Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even the blind can sense clear  transformation which includeds the managers of the athletes. The dimmed touch light in the sport sector is now brighter with the arrival of the Sports Commission Chairman Alh. Shehu Dikko whose signature tone and his credibily selected friends participation speak transformation reform. Some major events that need necessary representation of the country that would have been put away due to paucity of funds has been made possible with the personal financial bridge of Shehu Dikko. His passion to take sports to world standard drives him to seek open doors that offer success possibilities that will ensure his country is duly represented.

    Part of the major responsibilities of the NOC women is for them to be fully involved in the administration of sports management to enable them be at par with events and advocate increase participating of women athletes in the Olympic programs and leadership positions in the Olympic movement. Thus promoting the right and well being of women and girls In sports. Included in the women's responsibility, is to disseminate information on IOC positions on women and sports issues and as well, monitor the regularly report on the progress of the Olympic movement in increasing gender equality as well as empower and raise awareness of harassment and abuse of female athletes.

     Suffix it to say that the domicile location of members of the Olympic Women Commissions  could be said to be a  reason why they can not archive much of their set targets which includes to have access to the athletes and federation that are accessible in Abuja stadium. The NOC Athletes Commission coordinated by Olumide Olaseji have since the arrival of Alh. Shehu Dikko indicated their relevance, support to the development of sports and protection of their fellow athelets. What then could be the reason why significant Women highly recognized "by the lnternational body of Olympics have not aligned with the Chairman since his assumption of duty at least to have a place in his new road map, 
 share the vision of a new Sport Commission and as well, prepare themselves early enough for inclusion in major tournaments.

 Alhaji Shehu Dikko is unshakable in his assurances to include women in his administration. This he has exhibited in some Committees that he has inaugurated by including  distinguished and credible women. Every hard working person that drives the mission of sport development is automatically in the cabinet of the Chairman as he has budget for their relevant programmes. Dikko is seriously trying to afford the horizons of sports to include weekend activities knowing that it will create more sports jobs and the target of the sector contributing 3% to the nations GDP to  become more realistic. He is also, discussing with private marketers like the former members of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) marketing Committee Chief Itemaugbon to X-tray how other sports aside football can be attractive to the outside world.

Shehu Dikko has several sports that needs to be reactivated for youths  participation. He thus encourages Governors like that of Cross River state to co-join in giving life to Skating -A-Thon sports which is an aligne sports in Africa, but has registered Nigeria in their world body through their President  Mr. Daniel Damola. The Chairman however, allows the discovery of sports that is disposable enough for more youths engagement so as to turn sports from consumption to production. Dikko seem to be a better administrator on the field than in the office and it is a practical leadership that should be emulated. 

Nigerians are one of the most educated in the world but the least in  thinking faculty. Their education is mainly to have paper qualification without new ideas that rule the world. Also, to their detriment, is lack of good execution because of envious mental slavery of deceitful religion, tribe and level syndrome in service. Sporting activities are purely designed by nature and not western indoctrination. The mangers of sports should bear in mind that their target for success is purely the strength from any part of the country. Marriages nevertheless, remains challenging to women in every aspect of life even in this jet age there by making their contributions both in politics and global representation an apology.

Both the NOC and The Sports Commission should endeavor to look Beyond tribe to select persons with intellectual contributions that can forcefully raise a voice for the Women.