By Clement Nwankpa Jr
National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko on Friday played host to the triumphant scrabble team. It will be recalled that the contingent just returned home after winning their 14th title at the African Scrabble Championship held in Kigali,
Here are seven things worthy of note from the chairman’s interaction with the Nigeria Scrabble Federation led to the event by its president Olobatoke Aka.
(1) THE TROPHY IS APPRECIATED AS DIKKO DONATES N2M TO VICTORIOUS SCRABBLE CONTINGENT
The Federation came to present trophies won at the 15th African Scrabble Championship where a contingent of 33 amassed nine trophies, a feat highly applauded by the NSC chairman. He is particularly happy with the trophies.
His words, “I am honoured that this is the first trophy presented to me since I assumed office. It is on record that you were the first to bring a trophy here to me. It is highly appreciated.”
He personally donated N2m to the contingent.
(2) HARD WORK PAYS
According to the chairman, the trophies are indications that truly hard work pays. He wants to institutionalize a culture of long-term planning which would entail a lot of work and patience, ultimately leading to more sustained success.
He continued, “Your success validates what we are preaching about focusing on domestic development before aiming for trophies and indeed that if one works hard, he reaps rewards. If you do the right thing, you will get results.”
(3) TIMELINE FOR FEDERATIONS’ TIMETABLE
As pointed out earlier, the commission will prioritize long-term planning so haphazard preparations for tournaments will be discouraged. To this end, Dikko enjoined the various Sports Federations to acquaint NSC, early enough, with their programmes for the year.
“Before January every year, Sports Federations should tell us clearly what they plan to do for the year. This will help us to plan well and see what support and interventions we can offer for such tournaments and indeed monitoring of progress “, he added.
(4) NSC COMMITTED TO PROPER ATHLETES’ REWARD AND MOTIVATION
Athletes’ reward and motivation is paramount in the commission’s plans. To this end, the Commission is planning a presidential recognition for athletes who win laurels.
“Any team that wins anything for us in sports should, at least, meet the president and have a handshake. It is not all about money. We want athletes to feel appreciated for their efforts. Mr. President is happy to see such developments and will be so glad to receive them. Athletes’ reward and motivation is key to what we are doing here because an athlete who isn’t well motivated cannot deliver”, he pointed out.
(5) SCRABBLE FEDERATION HAILED FOR REGULAR TOURNAMENTS
Dikko had noted that Scrabble Federation is one of the Federations that have regular tournaments all through the year. He believes that tournaments boost athletes’ performance and development and urged Federations to keep the athletes busy and fit.
He said, “I am happy to hear that you have national tournaments almost every month. It is not surprising that you record this amount of success. We all know that when an athlete is regularly put in a competitive atmosphere, he will only keep getting better.”
(6) THE COMMISSION’S SUPPORT ASSURED
Earlier, the Federation President Aka had decried the lack of support received from the (former) ministry in the prosecution of its activities. Pointing out that they had defied the odds to become one of the best scrabble nations in the world. Dikko however pledged the commission’s support to help them record more successes.
“We will support you to succeed even more. Tell us the next programme that you are doing early enough”, he enthused.
(7) “WE WANT TO WORK WITH ALL SPORTS”
In making this statement, Dikko reiterated the fact that he was not going to be a football chairman. He may have been credited with groundbreaking innovations in the league and football development generally during his stint as LMC Chairman and currently a serving member of note in very strategic CAF and FIFA Committees, but he is now in charge of Nigerian sports, not just the league.
His words, “We are here for all sports. We want to work with all sports. We just want to see evidence of sustainable domestic development in the sport.”
