NIS partners ICAN to improve welfare of coaches, athletes

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday said collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) would improve the welfare of sportsmen and women during their retirement years.

Shaibu made this known while receiving the President of ICAN, Hajiya Queensley S. Seghosime, and her council team in his office at the NIS, Athletes Development Centre package B MKO National stadium Abuja.

He explained that the partnership was aimed at equipping coaches and athletes with financial literacy and proper retirement planning, to ensure they live comfortably after their active sporting careers.

The DG disclosed that the NIS has already commenced its first sensitisation programme across the North-West, North-Central and North-East zones, as part of efforts to extend its welfare and capacity building initiatives nationwide.

Shaibu also expressed appreciation to ICAN for appointing the Bursar of the NIS, Mrs. Nyakno Ololade Oluokun, to serve on the governing council of ICAN, describing it as a recognition of competence and professionalism.

He assured the ICAN delegation that the NIS remains committed to strengthening the partnership to develop sustainable welfare structures for Nigerian coaches, athletes and other sports stakeholders.

Earlier, the President and Chairman of Council, ICAN thanked NIS DG for graciously permitting the Bursar of the Institute, to serve on the governing council of ICAN, describing her as a worthy Ambassador.

“By way of feedback, I am delighted to report that she is serving with great distinction. She brings to our deliberations sound judgement, deep professional insight and an admirable sense of duty, and she has shown remarkable dedication, diligence and commitment in every assignment entrusted to her.

“Mrs Oluokun is a worthy ambassador of the National Institute for Sports and a credit to our profession. Her service is, in many ways, the first fruit of the partnership between our two Institutes, and we are grateful to you for sharing her with us.

“Nigeria has never been short of sporting talent. In every corner of our nation are young men and women capable of competing with the very best in the world. Yet talent alone does not guarantee lasting excellence. It must be nurtured through discipline, competent coaching, sustained investment and strong institutions that convert potential into performance. Talent may win a competition, but institutions build a sporting nation.

“There is a natural kinship between sport and accountancy. Both demand discipline, integrity, teamwork and a relentless pursuit of improvement, and both are judged by measurable performance. In sport, excellence is proven on the field of play. In professional practice, it is proven in the quality of decisions taken and the value created for society.

“In sport, performance earns the medal. In institutions, performance earns public trust. It is this shared commitment to excellence that makes collaboration between our two Institutes both natural and compelling. Behind every successful athlete is a system of preparation and support. Behind every sporting programme is an investment decision. And behind every enduring institution are people equipped to manage resources responsibly, anticipate risks and account for results,” the ICAN President said.