The Forum of Directors of Sports in Nigeria has explained why it aligned with the National Sports Commission (NSC) on reducing the number of sports that will feature in this year’s National Sports Commission, tagged Coal City Games.

NSC’s decision to reduce the number of sports to 20 (15 compulsory and five optional sports) had sparked hot debate within the sports family.

However, the Acting Chairman, Forum of Directors of Sports in Nigeria, Mr. Nunayon Travih, told The Guardian, yesterday that there was the need to put the record straight about the recent engagement meeting they held with the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja.

“The Forum hereby categorically states that a recent publication that the number of sports has been increased from 20 to 27 for the Coal City Games was neither authorised nor officially issued by the Acting Chairman, Mr. Nunayon Travih, the Secretary-General, Mr. Tunde Ajibike, nor any authorised organ of the Forum.

“The publication does not represent the official position, resolutions, or communique of the Forum of Directors of Sports Nigeria at a recent engagement meeting held with the leadership of the NSC, led by the Director-General, Bukola Olopade, in Abuja.

“During the meeting in Abuja, we discussed the proposed restructuring of the National Sports Festival and the selection of compulsory and optional sports for future editions of the Games and other national competitions as agreed and approved at the last National Council for Sports in Calabar Cross River State 2025.

“At the meeting, Olopade provided detailed explanations on the rationale behind the Selected Sports and restructuring of the festival format. It was emphasised that the National Sports Festival remains the exclusive property and responsibility of the NSC, which reserves the right to determine its organisational structure, operational framework, and competition format in line with national sports development objectives and international best practices,” he said.

Speaking further, Travih, who is the Director of Sports, Lagos State Sports Commission said: “The proposed reduction and streamlining of sports were presented as part of deliberate efforts aimed at reducing the financial and logistical burden on host states, encouraging more states to bid for and successfully host the Games, enhancing organisational efficiency and effective event management, and aligning the Festival with contemporary global sporting realities and practices, including models adopted at the Commonwealth Games and similar multi-sport events.”

He continues: “At the conclusion of the meeting, 15 Compulsory Sports and five Optional Sports were selected: The

Compulsory Sport are Athletics and Para Athletics, Badminton and Para Badminton, Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball,

The optional sports, according to him are Cricket, Canoeing and Para Canoeing, Darts, Golf, Shooting and Para Shooting.

“The confusion appears to arise from the inclusion of Para Sports categories, which are internationally recognised as integral components and competitive divisions under their respective primary sports, and not separate or independent sports.

“Accordingly, the following events do not constitute additional sports outside the approved framework:

Para Athletics under Athletics, Para Badminton under Badminton, Wheelchair Basketball under Basketball, Para Table Tennis under Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting under Weightlifting, Para Canoeing under Canoeing and Para Shooting under Shooting.

“The inclusion of Para Sports remains consistent with global best practices in inclusive sports development and does not alter the approved number of sports for the National Sports Festival.”

Travih revealed that the Forum made several professional submissions and observations, including advocacy for the inclusion of additional team sports and broader participation opportunities for athletes across the Federation.

“These submissions were made constructively and in the collective interest of strengthening sports development, inclusiveness, and effective sports administration in Nigeria.

“The Forum also acknowledged the prevailing economic realities and the need for practical reforms capable of reducing the financial and logistical demands associated with hosting the National Sports Festival, thereby encouraging more states to indicate interest in hosting future editions of the Games.

“The Forum remains committed to constructive engagement and collaboration with the National Sports Commission and all relevant stakeholders in the overall interest of sustainable sports development and national unity through sports,” he stated.

(The Guardian)