….Drive to Reignite Grassroots Talent
By Comfort Olayinka
In a landmark move aimed at transforming youth engagement and unearthing hidden athletic talent, the House Committee on Sports has officially launched a nationwide distribution of sports kits to all 360 federal constituencies in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, is being implemented in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and marks one of the most ambitious grassroots sports development efforts in recent years. Items to be distributed include football boots, jerseys, and training equipment tailored to spark interest and participation among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, challenged lawmakers to shift focus from abandoned infrastructure projects to sustainable investments in sports. He emphasized that reviving grassroots sports was critical to reclaiming Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage.
“It is unacceptable that a country of over 230 million people returns from international competitions without medals, while smaller nations excel,” Abbas lamented. “To reclaim our sporting glory, we must rebuild from the ground up.”
The Speaker criticized the proliferation of non-functional skill acquisition centers and described the kits distribution program as a bold and meaningful alternative. He commended the Sports Committee’s rapid and effective work, describing their performance as “exceeding expectations” and worthy of emulation by other committees.
Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu (Mai Palace), reiterated the House’s commitment to empowering young people through sports.
“This is more than a symbolic gesture. It’s a strategic step toward reviving sports engagement and nurturing talent at the grassroots,” Amadu said.
Representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Amadu revealed that the distribution is just the first phase of the committee’s broader agenda. Plans are already underway to initiate the construction of mini-stadiums across Nigeria, providing long-term infrastructure to support athletic growth.
The initiative has been widely applauded by stakeholders who see it as a timely intervention capable of transforming Nigeria’s sporting landscape from the community level upward.
