Preparations have reached advanced stage for the hosting of the first ever National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition, a combined tourism and sports industry event put together by the Ringo Sport Club Nigeria (RSCN), endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy in collaboration with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, Abuja FCT Chapter and the Ministries of Youth Development, Transportation, Aviation, Information and National Orientation, Communication, the National Sports Commission, Interior, the FCT and many others.
According to a released signed by Ahmed Mohammed Sule, MNIPR, FITPN, the President, Ringo Sport Club, Nigeria who is the Chairman, National Organizing Committee, NASTOCE 2026 which was mailed to this site, the event, which is scheduled for Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st of March, 2026 at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, has the theme: Leveraging on the Inter-Section of Multi-Sectoral MDAs to Promote Sports Tourism in Nigeria , will focus on the connectivity between tourism and sports as well as the inter-links with other MDAs so as to explore the inherent socio-economic potentials existing in the interface of sports and tourism for the benefits of the national economy.
The released further hinted that the objectives of the Conference are, to among others, facilitate a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among stakeholders in the sports and tourism industries, highlight the potential benefits and impact of sports on tourism development, provide a healthy dialogue forum for collaboration between the public and private sectors and foster partnerships and investment opportunities in the sports and tourism industries and to showcase sports tourism products and services through exhibitions, including sports facilities and tourism destinations.
Malam Ahmed said the choice of the theme for the Conference was informed by the strong need and desire to deepen the knowledge of the inter-sections existing between sports and tourism by MDAs and to explore the inherent socio-economic benefits for the good of the country, stressing that the intersection of sports and travel, is globally an emerging sector that can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, given Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and breath taking diverse landscapes.
As a dialogue forum, a number of interesting, critical and thought provoking sub themes to deepen collaborative partnerships between and amongst MDAs in the expected sports and tourism synergy have been lined up with experts, professional speakers and Chief Executive Officers of the respective MDAs billed to make paper presentations on their collaborative roles to achieve the desired synergy for the sports tourism industry to flourish in Nigeria.
As stated earlier, MDAs will make presentations focusing on their areas of inter-section with sports tourism. Majorly, the sub-themes will revolve around the followings: The Economic Impact of Sports Tourism in Nigeria ; Leveraging Sports for Cultural and Tourism Promotion; Sports Infrastructure and Facilities as Tourist Attractions; Youth Empowerment Through Sports Tourism Programs; Marketing and Media Strategies for Sports Tourism Promotion and Development in Nigeria and Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships in Sports Tourism Development
Others are Sustainable Practices in Sports Tourism development; Market Prospects of Nigerian Sports Tourism Destinations; Tourism and Sport Policy: A National Policy Context for Sport Tourism Development in Nigeria; Exploring Strategic Partnerships for Nigeria’s Sport Tourism Development; Enhanced Funding and Financing of Sports Tourism Sectors in Nigeria; Cultures, Sports and Tourism: X-raying the Trajectory for National Economic Development; Marketing, Media and Destination Promotion of Nigeria’s Sport Tourism; Application of Digital Technology to Grow Nigeria’s Sport Tourism Space; Building a Robust Security Architecture for National Sport Tourism Development; Military Sport Diplomacy, Panacea to National Peace and Economic Development and Leveraging on Sport Tourism to Empower Nigerian Youth
Participants at the two-day event will be drawn from key players and stakeholders in the sports and tourism sectors such as the National Sports Commission, Sports Federations, Tour and Travel Operators, Administrators of the Aviation industry; the Maritime Industry Sector, Ministry of Interior and its Agencies in facilitating Travel and Security Services, Communication Innovation and Digital Economy for the deployment of digital technology in sports tourism operations and the Federal Ministry of Trades, Industry and Investment for funding, financing and investment portfolio in the sports tourism sectors,
Others are the Federal Ministry of Defence providing the leeway of National Security Architecture for sports tourism to flourish in the country; The Finance Sector; such as Banks, Insurance Companies; Federal Ministry of Information to give the road map for media strategies in marketing and promoting sports tourism nationally and globally; Exhibitors of various sports and tourism products and services as well as visitors and sports tourism enthusiasts across the country who will converge in Abuja for the National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition.
The 2-Day National Sports Tourism Conference and Exhibition programme will feature Sports Tourism Conference, Exhibition of Sports and Tourism Products and Services, B2B and G2B sessions, inauguration of Patrons and Board Members of the Ringo Sports Club – Nigeria, Launch of Tourism Thematic Compilations and The Award and Gala Nite which is a socio-cultural event that will feature presentation of Awards to deserving stakeholders in the Nigerian Sports and Tourism industries.
