NIS DG Shaibu Backs Five-A-Side Football Drive to Empower Youth, Boost Sports Growth
The Director-General/CEO of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to leveraging sports as a tool for youth empowerment and national development.
Shaibu made this known during a courtesy visit by organisers of the Naija Five-A-Side Football Tournament, stressing that the institute remains a hub of professionalism and ethical standards in sports development.
He revealed that recent engagements with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) explored opportunities to create both direct and indirect employment for Nigerian youths through sports.
“Sports can curb social vices and insecurity because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” he said.
Highlighting football’s universal appeal, Shaibu noted that the sport naturally attracts participation, even among children with no formal training.
“Football is a phenomenon created by God. Everyone can play, but mastering team strategies requires proper coaching. This is where the NIS comes in—we are ready to train coaches to bridge the gap,” he added.
The NIS boss also underscored the intensity of five-a-side football, explaining that the format demands greater energy, endurance, and teamwork per minute compared to the traditional 11-a-side game.
“For clubs to build stamina and technical ability, integrating five-a-side football into training is essential,” he said.
Shaibu described the tournament as a viable platform for showcasing Nigerian talent on the global stage, noting that players would be subjected to the same level of scrutiny faced by international stars such as Victor Osimhen.
He reiterated the institute’s readiness to partner with initiatives that will strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness in sports.
On policy matters, Shaibu called for the immediate constitution of the National Sports Commission Board, warning that the absence of a governing board leaves agreements between agencies and private sector stakeholders temporary and legally uncertain.
He also advocated for increased inclusion of female athletes from northern Nigeria, particularly those who wish to compete while observing cultural dress codes such as the hijab.
“Football remains one of the strongest forces for national unity. We must harness the energy of our youth for development rather than blame leadership for all our challenges,” he said.
Earlier, President of the Five-A-Side Tournament, Patrick Osek, outlined the scope of the initiative. He acknowledged that previous editions faced setbacks due to poor follow-up, which led to the collapse of some talent development efforts.
To address this, the current edition has expanded participation to include both male and female teams, improving gender representation in the competition.
The tournament features 16 male and eight female teams drawn from across the country, with provisions to accommodate participants from northern states lacking fully formed teams. State-level matches are being held simultaneously, with winners advancing to Abuja, where logistics, including transportation and accommodation, will be provided.
Osek noted that the tournament utilises both public and private sports facilities, while highlighting infrastructure gaps and the need for sustained support from state governments and international sports bodies.
The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to be flagged off in April at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
