The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that the Invited Diaspora Athletes (IDA) will participate in the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games scheduled to hold in Lagos later this year.
The IDA initiative forms part of ongoing reforms introduced by the NSC under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Bukola Olopade, through the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE).
According to Olopade, the creation of the Diaspora Discovery Athletes Committee chaired by Tunde Adelakun, has generated strong interest among Nigerians abroad who are eager to represent the country.
He disclosed that about 50 athletes from the Diaspora are expected to compete under the IDA banner at the Intermediate Games in Lagos.
We are very excited about this initiative because of the immediate and futuristic impact it will have on our sports development. At the Intermediate Games in Lagos, we will have about 50 athletes coming from the Diaspora to compete for IDA,” Olopade said.
This will be a major boost for Nigerian sports and will improve the competitive strength of Team Nigeria at international competitions.”
Adelakun also confirmed that preparations are ongoing to ensure the team is ready for the Games and future national events. He revealed plans to establish a training camp in Europe where the invited athletes will assemble before the competition.
We are already working on setting up a camp in Europe where all the Invited Diaspora Athletes will gather before we select the final team for the Intermediate Games. The athletes are looking forward to this opportunity because it is a first in our country’s history,” he stated.
The IDA will compete as the 38th state at the Games, following the example set at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State, where the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) featured as the 37th state and made an impact on the medals table.
The introduction of the Diaspora team is expected to add more depth and competition to the National Intermediate Games in Lagos.
