DG NSC: Olopade's appointment, big win for Nigerian sports sector - Tomiwa Lawal

 

A sports enthusiast, brand and packaging expert, Tomiwa Lawal has described the appointment of Honourable Bukola Olopade as the Director General of National Sports Commission, NSC as accurate and timely for Nigerian sports. 

Olopade was announced as the Director General of the newly reformed commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday. 

The veteran sports technocrat will see to the day to day running of the commission which require urgent intervention to restore its glory days. 

Lawal who is also the Field Sales Manager with the world's largest food and beverage company, Nestle Nigeria Plc in Kogi State believed strongly that Olopade's appointment was an indication of President Tinubu's interest to make sports as a veritable tool to nation building and source of revenue to the country's GDP. 

He however charged his old friend and associate dated back to their days at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to justify his appointment by making positive impact on the sector as he's always known for his transformative initiative in sportd business. 

"Congratulations to my dear friend and big brother , Honourable Bukola Olopade on his well-deserved appointment as the Director General of National Sports Commission. 

"This achievement is a testament to his vast experience and dedication to the sports industry.

"Olopade's journey to this milestone is inspiring, his passion for sports, coupled with his business acumen, has earned him recognition and respect within the industry.

"As Director General, Olopade will undoubtedly bring his expertise to bear, fostering growth and success for Nigeria's sports programs.

"His appointment is a victory for Nigeria's sports and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact he'll make.

"I wish him all the best in his new role and look forward to witnessing the transformative changes he'll bring to Nigeria's sports landscape," he said.

Olopade was one time Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ogun State. 

He spare headed the successful hosting of National Sports Festival in 2006 held in Ogun State. 

Olopade has organized quite a number of successful sports tournaments in Nigeria in athletics, football, wheelchair basketball among others through his sports firm, Nilayo Sports Management Limited.

Eventual winners of Abeokuta 10KM Race will receive prize money in record time - Organizers

The organizers of Abeokuta 10 kilometre race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), have revealed that eventual winners at the 2021 edition scheduled for November 13 will be paid 48 hours after the race.

Managing Director of NSML, Hon. Bukola Olopade said it's a record time of crediting winners, a development he described as a step in the right direction.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race with the theme, "Naija, Race For Homeland" is restricted to indigenous runners, the first time of having such in the history of races put together by the foremost sports marketing company.

In his words, Hon. Olopade, a former sports commissioner in the Gateway state said measures are already in place to ensure a hitch free race, he added that the City of Abeokuta is extremely ready to host the indigenous athletes coming from different part of the country.

He said "Winners will get their prizes 48 hours after the race, it's a record time of payment, the history is there for all to see"

"We are extremely glad to put up ideas that will add quality to what we have put in place, come November 13, the indigenous athletes will witness a top notch road race which is strictly for Naija, our Homeland"

"With the support we have from our sponsors and the Ogun State government, we are ready for the great Abeokuta 10KM Race"

At stake is a two thousand dollars ($2,000) prize money for the eventual winner, while the second and third to reach the finish line will go home with one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500), and one thousand dollars ($1000) in that order.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race will also have a Wheelchair category where the top three runners will receive five hundred thousand naira, three hundred thousand naira and two hundred thousand naira respectively.

The take off point for the race is the Ake Palace, it will terminate at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.