By MUHYIDEEN JIMOH

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has unveiled the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), to transform the nation’s sports industry.

The NSC Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

RHINSE aims to transform sports through the Reset, Refocus, and Relaunch (RRR) initiative, and to reset Nigeria’s Sports echo-system from Competition-driven to a Developmental-driven/value addition Industry.

The strategy brief, signed by the NSC Chairman, is designed to establish sports as a vital driver of Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and development.

The Commission had set an objective and roadmap to unlock the potential of the sports economy by revitalising infrastructure and fostering grassroots development.

The roadmap Is hinged on developing school sports and professional academy programmes.

It will also focus on promoting private sector engagement and investment in sports and sustainable credible participation across all competition.

Dikko expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to elevating sports in the country in line with international best practices.

“RHINSE initiative is not just about investing in infrastructure but about redefining sports as a national asset thus entitled to all the requisite special support, concessions and legal frameworks to drive growth.

“It is a tool for unity, cultural promotion, and economic growth, with the potential to uplift millions of our youth and communities across the country,” he said.

The NSC boss noted that the 2025 budget has an unprecedented capital proposal of over N78 billion for sports with the sole objective to jumpstart the sports economy.

Dikko explained that the capital budget would cater for sports infrastructure development, establishment of an Anti-Doping Laboratory, among others.

He explained that the RHINSE initiative is anchored on institutional repositioning, restructuring of sports federations, grassroots development, and private sector collaboration.

“Projected outcome from the implementation of the RHINSE programme is to situate sports as key component of Nigeria Economy and social fabric.

“This will contribute at least 3% of GDP, creating and sustaining at least three million jobs across the sports value chain (direct, indirect and induced sports jobs).

“(It is expected to dominate) global sports talent export market, earning foreign exchange into the county and reinvest in developing the system.

“The initiative will also enable private sector participation and investment to complement government’s efforts.

“This will ensure credible participation across all international competitions, infrastructure provision and development to advance professional sustainable development and hosting of international tournaments and competitions and indeed social impact,” Dikko said.

The NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, also described RHINSE as a game-changer in sports development in Nigeria.

“It’s a deliberate and focussed strategy that will not only set the foundation and roadmap for enhancing sports development in Nigeria.

“The Initiative will also create opportunities for our youth to thrive and for the country to attract global recognition and investment in the sports economy,” he said.

Olopade said that the RHINSE initiative would relaunch Nigeria’s sports ecosystem for sustained growth and development. (NAN)