NIS DG Shaibu preaches fitness as NSC, NIS, NFF, others hold first joint physical exercise

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has highlighted the importance of physical fitness among stakeholders in the sports sector, stressing that those responsible for training athletes must also lead by example.

Shaibu made this known on Thursday in Abuja while speaking to journalists shortly after attending the first joint aerobics session involving the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission (NSC), National Institute for Sports (NIS) and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Grassroots Sports Development to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

The weekly fitness maintenance exercise, according to him, is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between sports agencies while promoting physical and mental well-being.

“We cannot be part of the sports ecosystem and train others while we are not physically fit. This exercise reflects the kind of collaboration we are advocating among sports agencies, who come together to stay fit and stay physically and mentally alert for the task ahead,” he said.

The NIS boss stressed that maintaining good health is crucial for productivity, especially in an industry that requires high levels of physical and mental commitment.

“We cannot train sporting men and women when we ourselves are not fit. We must set an example. We must keep our minds and bodies healthy. Health is wealth, we cannot chase wealth without prioritizing our health too. Both must go hand in hand,” Shaibu added.

Also speaking, the Director of Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Ademola Olajire, commended the initiative, describing it as refreshing and impactful.

“This exercise is very interesting and commendable. Keeping fit in the morning like this is something we wouldn’t mind doing regularly. It is a wonderful initiative and we appreciate the NIS for putting it together,” Olajire said.

The joint aerobics session, which brought together key stakeholders from Nigeria’s sports administration, is aimed at fostering unity, improving well-being and promoting a culture of fitness within the country’s sports ecosystem.