My visit last Tuesday to the office of the Acting Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, though brief, was timely and productive.
It gave me the opportunity to correct long-standing misconceptions and clarify my intentions, reaffirming my commitment to the development of sports in the state.
At the same time, it allowed the Acting Chairman to better understand me beyond negative narratives and appreciate my contributions, especially at the grassroots level.
In essence, the interaction helped bridge gaps in perception and laid the groundwork for a more constructive and informed relationship going forward.
However, despite the productive exchange and the clearer understanding it created, my only regret was the limited time, which prevented a deeper discussion on the critical challenges facing sports in Kano.
As the newly appointed head of the commission, his professional background is primarily in physiotherapy, a field centered on physical rehabilitation and patient care.
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While this gives him valuable insight into athlete health and performance, there were several important issues and perspectives on sports development that I intended to share with him during my visit.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I was unable to fully discuss these critical areas that could have further enriched his understanding of the sector.
He candidly made it clear that he is still relatively new in the commission. If I am not mistaken, his appointment or redeployment as the head of the commission only took place in the first month of this year.
This, by implication, means he is still in the process of acquainting himself with the structure, challenges, and dynamics of sports administration in the state.
Therefore, to manage sports effectively and efficiently, he must go beyond basic administration and commit to a wide range of responsibilities.
This includes developing a clear vision for the sector, engaging experienced stakeholders, strengthening institutional structures, and ensuring transparency in decision-making.
He also needs to understand the unique challenges facing athletes, coaches, and sports organizations, while prioritizing grassroots development and talent identification.
In addition, building sustainable funding mechanisms, improving facilities, and fostering partnerships with both public and private sectors are essential.
Only through deliberate effort, continuous learning, and strategic planning can he successfully drive meaningful growth and lasting impact in the sports sector.
While this experience equips him with valuable insights into health and human performance, he is still in the process of building a deeper understanding of the broader sector he now supervises.
The complexities, administrative demands, and strategic responsibilities that come with leading the commission require time, exposure, and continuous learning.
As such, he is gradually familiarizing himself with the operational dynamics, key stakeholders, and policy frameworks necessary to effectively steer the commission toward achieving its objectives.
With this, the Acting Chairman also need to seek technical advice from individuals who possess deep knowledge and practical experience in the sports sector.
Such expertise is readily available within the state, and tapping into it would significantly strengthen decision-making and policy implementation.
Engaging seasoned professionals, former athletes, experienced coaches, sports administrators, and technical experts will provide valuable insights that cannot be gained from desk-based administration alone.
These stakeholders understand the practical realities of the system, the existing gaps, and the most effective strategies for improvement.
By building a culture of consultation and inclusiveness, the Acting Chairman will not only improve the quality of decisions being made but also foster a sense of shared ownership and collaboration within the sports community.
If this approach is consistently adopted, it will ultimately result in more informed and well-thought-out policies, more effective and coordinated implementation, and, in the long run, the sustainable growth and development of sports across the state.
Even though I am not directly involved with the commission, I have a clear understanding of many of the factors hindering sports development in the state.
It is therefore important for the Acting Chairman to carefully study and analyze these challenges, and take deliberate steps to address them in order to move sports in Kano forward.
I want the Acting Chairman to first understand that the commission is facing a serious shortage of manpower.
A significant number of its workforce have retired over the years, placing a heavy burden on the remaining staff and inevitably affecting the commission’s overall efficiency and its capacity to effectively deliver on its mandate.
I also want to draw his attention to the painful memory of the 22 individuals who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred near Kura while returning from Delta.
That incident was not only a devastating loss to their families but also a huge setback for sports development in the state.
It is important that such a tragedy is not forgotten, and that lessons are drawn from it to improve safety, welfare, and support systems for athletes and officials going forward.
Therefore, the first issue the Acting Chairman must confront is this, because sports cannot thrive without adequate personnel to coach, manage, and administer the various associations.
Without the right human resources in place, even the best policies and intentions will struggle to produce meaningful results.
He also needs to clearly understand that sports development is a deliberate and continuous process of building and strengthening sports at all levels from grassroots participation to elite performance.
It is not limited to competitions alone, but encompasses a broad range of critical areas, including infrastructure development, athlete training, coaching education, and effective organization and administration.
That is why sports development is closely tied to societal progress. When properly managed, it contributes to youth engagement, talent discovery, job creation, community cohesion, and even economic growth.
In essence, any society that invests meaningfully in sports development is positioning itself for broader overall advancement.
After taking care about personnel, the chairman must now focus on the followings:-
Infrastructural Development: This refers to the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading of sports facilities such as stadiums, training grounds, and community sports centers.
These facilities are essential for making sporting activities more accessible, structured, and attractive to athletes at all levels.
As the chief sports administrator of the state, the Acting Chairman should urgently advise and encourage the government to declare a form of emergency in the sports sector, backed by substantial investment in the rehabilitation of dilapidated facilities and the construction of new ones across the state.
The Sani Abacha Stadium, for instance, requires urgent and comprehensive renovation. Its current artificial turf should be replaced with natural grass in line with international standards, which would broaden its usability and align it with global best practices.
In addition, the stadium’s tartan track for athletics needs to be fully reconstructed, while its scoreboard and supporting technical systems must be upgraded to meet CAF and FIFA requirements, enabling it to host both national and international competitions.
Similarly, the Mahaha Sports Complex requires extensive redevelopment and modernization. It should be transformed into a multi-purpose, world-class sports facility comparable to those found in more advanced states.
Once upgraded, it could accommodate a wide range of sporting activities including basketball, handball, volleyball, squash, badminton, table tennis, and more.
The envisioned upgrade should also include a dedicated athletics arena, a multi-sport indoor hall, a high-performance gymnasium, and a standard 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool, positioning the complex as a premier hub for sports excellence.
Such development would significantly elevate Kano State’s profile in the national and international sporting community while also providing athletes with the infrastructure necessary to train, compete, and excel at elite levels.
Beyond major sports complexes, equal attention must be given to facilities in rural and underserved communities.
Developing and maintaining sports infrastructure at the grassroots level is critical for talent discovery, youth engagement, and the promotion of a strong sporting culture across the state.
Venues such as Kano Pillars Stadium, Gwagwarwa Mini Stadium, and Ado Bayero Square require urgent renovation and modernization.
Upgrading these facilities will not only improve safety and usability but will also decentralize access to sports, ensuring that opportunities are not limited to urban centers alone.
Investing in community-based infrastructure will expand the talent pipeline, strengthen grassroots programs, and create a more inclusive sports development system that benefits all parts of the state.
Furthermore, the Acting Chairman should prioritize the establishment and development of sports zones across key Local Government Areas, equipped with mini-stadiums in line with the Local Government Sports Development Policy.
These decentralized facilities will serve as accessible hubs for training, competitions, and youth engagement, forming a strong foundation for sustainable grassroots development.
And to ensure financial sustainability, the government can adopt a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by involving local businesses and private investors.
This approach has already proven successful in other states, such as the Remo Stars Stadium project in Ogun State, where private sector participation supported construction, maintenance, and community ownership.
If properly implemented, these measures will not only raise the standard of sports infrastructure in Kano State but also position the state as a strong contender for hosting national and international sporting events.
Ultimately, a strategic combination of infrastructure renewal and partnership-driven investment will ensure long-term, sustainable growth of the sporting ecosystem.
Athlete Development: This is another critical pillar of sports growth. It involves the systematic identification, nurturing, and training of talented individuals through well-structured programs, qualified coaching, and continuous performance monitoring.
The goal is to build a clear pathway that takes athletes from grassroots participation to elite competitive levels. In this regard, the availability and proper use of sports infrastructure play a decisive role.
The facilities mentioned earlier would serve as essential training hubs for this purpose, enabling the mass development of athletes across both urban and rural areas.
With properly distributed and accessible sporting facilities, talent can be identified early, developed consistently, and supported through progressive stages of growth.
When these structures are effectively utilized, they create a sustainable pipeline of athletes who are not only discovered but also adequately trained to compete at regional, national, and international levels.
This balanced approach ensures that no talent is left behind, regardless of location, and strengthens the overall competitiveness of the state in sports.
Coaching and Training: This form a fundamental pillar of sports development, as they ensure that athletes are guided by qualified professionals capable of providing proper instruction, technical guidance, and continuous performance improvement.
Without competent coaching, even talented athletes may struggle to reach their full potential or compete effectively at higher levels.
Effective coaching goes beyond basic training routines; it involves structured development programs, mentorship, tactical awareness, physical conditioning, and psychological preparation.
Qualified coaches are responsible for identifying strengths and weaknesses in athletes and designing tailored training plans that enhance performance over time.
When properly implemented, a strong coaching and training system guarantees that athletes receive consistent, high-quality guidance across all levels of development.
It also helps to standardize training methods, improve competitiveness, and build a culture of excellence within the sporting system. Ultimately, investing in coaching is investing directly in the success and sustainability of sports development.
Organizational Development: This focuses on strengthening the structure, efficiency, and management systems of sporting bodies, including associations and local clubs.
It ensures that these organizations operate in a coordinated, transparent, and results-driven manner that supports long-term sports growth.
For sports to truly thrive in Kano State, the Acting Chairman must give priority to the key development indicators highlighted earlier, addressing them with a comprehensive and strategic approach.
A fragmented or piecemeal response will not produce sustainable progress; what is required is a coordinated and holistic reform agenda that strengthens every layer of the sports ecosystem.
One of the most urgent priorities is to sensitize and engage the government on the need for a standard Olympic-size stadium and other world-class sporting facilities.
The absence of such infrastructure has significantly limited Kano State’s capacity to host national and international competitions, placing it at a disadvantage compared to other regions investing heavily in sports development.
This infrastructural gap also restricts the exposure and growth opportunities available to local athletes, weakens the effectiveness of sports programs, and prevents the state from fully realizing its potential as a sporting hub.
Without adequate facilities and strong organizational systems to manage them, sports development remains constrained.
By actively advocating for these reforms and ensuring their proper implementation, the Acting Chairman can help establish a solid institutional and infrastructural foundation for sports in Kano State.
This will position the state not only as a participant in sporting activities, but as a recognized destination capable of hosting and showcasing top-level national and international competitions.
Hosting of National and International events: The Acting Chairman must also clearly communicate to the government the importance of hosting sporting events as a strategic development tool.
With improved and well-maintained facilities, Kano State would be well-positioned to host regional, national, and even international competitions with greater ease and efficiency.
Such events go beyond athletics alone; they serve as major economic drivers. Hosting competitions would attract athletes, officials, supporters, and tourists into the state, creating a ripple effect across multiple sectors.
Hotels, transportation services, restaurants, small businesses, and informal vendors would all benefit from the increased movement of people and activity during such events.
This would translate into significant revenue generation and sustained economic stimulation for the state.
For this reason, investment in sports infrastructure is widely regarded as one of the most effective yet underutilized strategies for economic diversification and growth.
When properly developed and managed, the sports sector becomes not just a platform for talent development, but also a reliable contributor to employment creation, local business expansion, and overall economic development.
The Acting Chairman must not confine himself to the comfort of his office while the realities on the ground remain unattended.
He needs to engage in regular field inspections to gain firsthand understanding of the condition of sporting facilities, manpower challenges, and other critical operational issues within the system.
Direct observation is essential for making informed decisions and implementing effective reforms.
He should also take it upon himself to clearly communicate to the government the significant economic benefits that come with investing in sports development.
Such initiatives have far-reaching impacts beyond athletics alone. The influx of athletes, officials, and spectators during competitions would stimulate local businesses, boost hospitality services, increase transportation activity, and generally enhance economic circulation within the state.
In essence, sports development is not only a tool for talent discovery and youth engagement but also a viable economic driver that can contribute meaningfully to the state’s revenue base and overall development.
Lastly, this year marks another edition of the National Sports Festival, and it is important that the Acting Chairman does not wait for formal directives or paperwork from the National Sports Commission before taking action.
Instead, he should proactively begin early planning and strategic preparation to ensure the state is fully ready for the event.
This includes early athlete screening, intensive training programs, proper funding arrangements, and logistical coordination for both athletes and officials.
With timely preparation and strong leadership, the goal should not only be to participate in the festival in Enugu State, but to compete at a high level and return with a substantial haul of medals that will make the state proud.
Goodluck!
