By In a bid to rejuvenate netball across Nigeria, the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos has partnered with the Nigeria Netball Federation to train coaches, starting with the South West region. The initiative aims to develop the sport by increasing the number of trained professionals and expanding its reach nationwide.
At the opening of the four-day training session, NIS Director-General, Professor Olawale Moronkola, emphasized that netball would now be integrated into the institute’s curriculum. He also announced plans to create a netball training manual to enhance awareness and support the sport’s development. “This is more than just a collaboration; it’s a commitment to ensuring netball thrives in Nigeria,” he stated.
Dr. Toyin Aluko, Secretary General of the Nigeria Netball Federation, expressed excitement about the program and its potential to spread across all six geopolitical zones of the country. She praised the NIS for its support, calling the partnership a “new dawn” for netball in Nigeria.
The coaching clinic, themed “Revival of Netball in Nigeria,” runs from March 10 to March 14, 2025, at the National Institute for Sports. A total of 50 participants are undergoing training to enhance their skills and contribute to the sport’s resurgence.
The initiative is being organized under the Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria, which has been advocating for the revival of netball as a competitive and recreational sport.
With this effort, stakeholders hope to restore netball’s popularity in Nigeria and create more opportunities for young athletes, ensuring its long-term sustainability and national recognition.
