Coach Bulus Hussaini Unveils Plan to Rebuild Taraba Sports
By Hilary John
The Chairman of the Taraba State Sports Commission, Coach Bulus Hussaini, has outlined a wide-range of plans to revive sports development in the state, with emphasis on grassroots talent discovery, manpower training and facility rehabilitation.
Coach Bulus Hussaini
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Echo Express in his office at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo, the State Capital Coach Bulus Hussaini said sports development in Taraba needs a fresh approach, especially in the technical sector.
He noted that the state lacks qualified coaches across most sports, describing the situation as a major obstacle to progress.
According to him, the Sports Commission plans to establish sports offices in all 16 local government areas and the two Special Development Areas to strengthen grassroots programmes.
The offices, he said, will be equipped and staffed to identify and nurture young talents at the community level.
Coach Bulus also revealed plans to retrain former and less-active athletes as coaches and sports administrators, a move he said would create jobs and improve local capacity in sports management.
On infrastructure, he said the Jolly Nyame Sports Complex, though one of the best in the country, requires urgent renovation after 15 years of use.
He added that the state government is considering its upgrade as well as the construction of new sports facilities across the southern, central and northern zones of Taraba State.
The Sports Commission Chairman said his administration will develop all sporting disciplines, not just football, including athletics, basketball, lawn tennis, volleyball, table tennis and badminton.
He expressed confidence that with proper support, Taraba State could become a major talent hub within five years, stressing that early talent discovery in schools and rural communities is key to achieving this goal.
Coach Bulus Hussaini also highlighted the need to improve athletes’ welfare and promote sports as an industry capable of providing local and international opportunities.
He said the Commission will seek partnerships with non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and the private sector to support its programmes.
“With the right support and partnerships, Taraba athletes can compete at the highest levels,” he said.
