By Amaechi Agbo
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the development, promotion and internationalisation of traditional sports in the country.
Chairman of NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko gave the assurance during a visit to the Abula venue at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Package B in Abuja on Friday, August 15, 2026.
Dikko said a dedicated budget line has been created for the sector for the first time in the history of sports administration in the country.
He stated that traditional sports, which include Abula, Dambe, Kokuwa, Langa and Ayo, are an important part of Nigeria’s sporting heritage and deserve sustained investment, wider participation and international exposure.
He said: “For the first time in the history of sports, we have created a specific budget line for traditional sports.
“If you check the budget of the National Sports Commission, you will see a specific budget line meant to advance the cause of traditional sports.”
The sports administrator further disclosed plans to encourage the leadership of the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria to strengthen engagement with other African countries and promote Nigerian traditional sports internationally.
Dikko explained that traditional sports should go beyond festivals and local competitions and be developed into internationally recognised sporting disciplines.
He expressed particular optimism about the growing international interest in Nigerian traditional sports, citing interest from investors in Saudi Arabia in Dambe and other traditional sporting disciplines.
Dikko said: “It is not just about having these sports at festivals and local events. We should work to promote them and make them as international as we can.
“I am calling on traditional rulers across the country to play a greater role in promoting traditional sports, as they have to play a collective role with the relevant sports federations to expand the reach of traditional sports, just as they have done in promoting horse racing across the country.”
He urged the Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria to take competitions to other parts of the country.
“We cannot wait until somebody is already an adult before trying to introduce something to them. No, we need to engage in these sports right from school.”
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