NSC DG Olopade Calls for Inclusion of More Women on Federation’s Board
Oru Leonard
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation recently held its elections at the VIP lounge of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where Dr. Tayo Adesoji Emmanuel was unanimously elected President and Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki as Vice President by the 15 board members.
Honourable Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), commended the peaceful and mature conduct during the elections, describing the process as a model for future sports federation polls in Nigeria.
In a significant call for change, Hon. Olopade stressed the urgent need for greater gender inclusivity within the Federation’s leadership. He highlighted the strategic importance of involving key bodies such as the National Association for Physical Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD) and the National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), in future electoral and administrative processes. According to Olopade, their participation would promote gender sensitivity and ensure women’s voices are better represented in the governance of Nigerian table tennis.
Olopade advised the newly elected President to prioritise gender balance and inclusivity wemphasisedting other leaders and board members. He emphasized that a diverse and representative leadership team is essential for the sustainable growth and development of table tennis in Nigeria, making sure all stakeholders contribute meaningfully.
Dr. Tayo Adesoji Emmanuel, a veteran of Nigerian table tennis with extensive experience as a player, umpire, technical director, and former Vice President, expressed his dedication to nurturing young talent and raising the sport’s profile both nationally and internationally. He vowed to lead with a vision that places Nigeria prominently on the world stage of table tennis.
Supporting Dr. Tayo is Vice President Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, a passionate sports administrator and entrepreneur focused on youth empowerment and innovation through sports. Together, they promise a transformative leadership focused on grassroots athlete development, strategic regional outreach, and international success.
The Federation’s newly elected board also includes representatives from various zones and organizations, among them Mrs. Joy Ibekwe from NAWIS, reflecting the ongoing but still limited inclusion of women in the leadership.
Honourable Olopade’s call is clear: the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation—and indeed all sports federations—must do more to ensure that women are given greater roles and representation on their boards, to foster inclusivity and enrich sports governance across the country.
(NSC Media)
