To those of us who understand the importance of sports to society, the Ministry of Sports is one of the most important arms of government.
This is because of its potential to promote youth development, create opportunities, encourage healthy living and unite people across different backgrounds.
That is why I have continued to wonder why Kano State went for so long without a substantive Commissioner for Sports following the exit of Mustapha Kwankwaso.
Now that the government has recognised the need to fill the position, I am among those delighted by the decision.
READ ON: Misfortunes in Kano Sports: Governor Abba must hear this
The appointment is not only timely but also necessary for the effective administration and development of sports in the state.
The appointment of Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya as the new Kano State Commissioner for Sports is, without doubt, a welcome development.
Given his personality and background, his emergence has raised expectations among sports stakeholders who look forward to a new direction for the sector.
However, the task ahead is enormous. Beyond the excitement surrounding his appointment, serious challenges require his immediate attention and decisive action.
I foresee numerous hurdles ahead of him, which he must successfully overcome to make a lasting impact and leave a positive legacy at the end of his tenure.
Commissioner Wayya must understand that his success will depend largely on how effectively he addresses three critical pillars of sports development: personnel, facilities and competitions.
These three pillars are fundamental to building a sustainable sporting system, and each deserves adequate attention.
Sports development requires competent administrators, qualified coaches, technical officials and other professionals who can identify, nurture and manage sporting talents.
I therefore expect Commissioner Wayya to work closely with the Kano State Sports Commission to identify and engage the right personnel needed to drive sports development.
This should include appointing a competent Organising Secretary responsible for coordinating sporting activities and reaching out to qualified coaches across different sports.
Coaches are central to talent discovery and development. With their technical knowledge, experience and skills, they can identify promising athletes within and outside Kano State, nurture their abilities and prepare them for competitive events.
Without qualified coaches and effective coordination, the state cannot effectively discover, develop or retain the sporting talents needed to compete successfully at any level, anywhere and at any time.
The second critical pillar is facilities, which form the bedrock of sports development anywhere in the world. Without adequate and functional sporting facilities, meaningful sports development cannot thrive.
Athletes need appropriate facilities and equipment to train, improve their skills, prepare for competitions and reach their full potential. No serious sports development programme can succeed without investing in the facilities required to support it.
On this, Commissioner Wayya should work closely with the Kano State Sports Commission to conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing sporting facilities, identify those requiring urgent rehabilitation and take prompt steps to restore them to functional condition.
These facilities must be accessible to both established athletes and newly discovered talents to enable them to train, improve their skills and prepare adequately for competitions.
It is not enough to discover sporting talents; the state must also provide the environment and facilities they need to grow.
Another major benefit of standard sporting facilities is the opportunity to host national and international competitions. With facilities that meet the required standards, Kano State can attract major sporting events, gain national and international recognition and create economic opportunities for its people.
Beyond competitive sports, these facilities can also serve the wider community. They can provide suitable spaces for recreational activities, fitness programmes and physical exercise for older people and individuals with certain health conditions, subject to appropriate medical guidance.
Therefore, investing in standard sporting facilities is not just about producing athletes. It is also an investment in public health, sports tourism and the overall development of the state.
The third and final pillar is competitions. Sporting competitions provide athletes with valuable opportunities to discover their abilities, develop their skills and showcase their talents.
Through regular competitions, athletes can demonstrate their potential before audiences, talent scouts and sports administrators at state, national and international levels.
Without regular and well-organised competitions, even the most talented athletes may struggle to gain the exposure and experience needed to advance their careers.
Kano State must therefore establish a sustainable competition calendar covering grassroots, school, local, state and national sporting events.
The new Commissioner should also work closely with the Kano State Sports Commission to ensure that the state participates in every national sporting competition for which it receives an invitation and meets the entry requirements.
I am particularly concerned about Kano State’s failure to participate in the ongoing 2026 Ardova Handball Premier League in Lagos. This is highly regrettable and raises serious questions about the state’s sports administration.
Commissioner Wayya must take steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Repeated absence from important competitions damages the state’s sporting reputation and undermines the efforts of athletes who have worked hard to represent Kano.
He should also understand that Kano State’s handball team is a three-time Nigerian champion. Its absence from a major national competition of this nature raises questions that deserve clear answers.
It is a serious embarrassment, not only to the government but also to the state and its sporting community.
The Commissioner must therefore investigate the circumstances that led to this non-participation, establish where the failure occurred and hold those responsible accountable wherever negligence is established.
Kano has a rich sporting heritage and a long history of producing talented athletes and competitive teams. Much of this reputation was built through participation in local, national and international competitions.
We must not allow administrative lapses, poor planning or funding delays to erode the sporting heritage built by previous generations.
Commissioner Wayya should therefore make regular participation in sporting competitions a priority of his administration.
Another major challenge Commissioner Wayya must address without delay is the situation surrounding Kano Pillars Football Club.
The club’s recurring complaints about a lack of funds require urgent investigation and a lasting solution.
I learnt during a radio programme that the team is facing serious financial difficulties, reportedly prompting its coach to threaten to resign from his position.
If this report is accurate, it is a worrying development that demands the Commissioner’s immediate intervention.
I also understand that the team is experiencing transportation difficulties, with its vehicles reportedly breaking down repeatedly while travelling for matches. This is unacceptable for a club with the history and status of Kano Pillars.
Commissioner Wayya must urgently engage the club’s management, establish the facts and address these operational challenges.
A professional football club cannot function effectively when its basic needs, including players’ welfare, transportation and preparation for matches, are not adequately provided.
However, the investigation should not end with demands for more government funding. The Commissioner should also ask the management to account for the club’s revenue sources and explain its apparent dependence on government subventions.
This is particularly important given the reported increase in match-day gate revenue and the income generated from players’ transfers.
The management should provide clear records of these earnings, explain how the funds have been utilised and demonstrate the club’s financial position.
There must be transparency and accountability in the management of the club’s resources.
Government support may remain necessary, but Kano Pillars should also develop a sustainable financial model that allows it to generate revenue, manage expenditure and meet its obligations.
Commissioner Wayya should treat this matter as a priority. Kano Pillars is one of the state’s most important sporting institutions, and its financial and administrative challenges must not be allowed to undermine its competitive future.
Finally, I sincerely pray that your tenure as the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports will be successful, memorable and beneficial to both you and the people of Kano State.
May your service leave a lasting positive legacy in the state’s sporting history. Ameen.
