Taraba Sports Dev Commission Sets 2026 Calendar, Targets Grassroots Sports Development
By Hilary John
The Chairman of the Taraba State Sports Development Commission, Coach Bulus Hussaini, has disclosed key resolutions reached at the commission’s inaugural meeting, shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of Sports Associations in Jalingo, the state capital.
Coach Bulus Hussaini
Speaking to journalists, Coach Hussaini said the meeting was attended by the chairman, all six board members, the Executive Secretary, ex-officio members and secretaries of the commission.
He said members deliberated extensively on issues critical to sports development in Taraba State.
Among the major resolutions was the approval of the commission’s 2026 calendar of sporting activities.
The commission also resolved to seek partnerships with corporate organizations to sponsor sports programmes as part of its corporate social responsibility, noting that sports funding should not be left to government alone.
Coach Hussaini added that committees were constituted to focus on revenue generation, community participation in sports, staff recruitment, and public sensitization.
He said traditional and religious leaders, who are ex-officio members of the commission, were tasked with encouraging families to allow women and girls to participate fully in sports.
He confirmed that chairmen and members of various sports associations were formally inaugurated at the meeting.
The Commission Chairman further explained that the state government’s strong focus on youth development informed its support for sports, stressing that meaningful youth engagement leads to a more stable society.
He said the commission would prioritize grassroots sports, starting from primary schools, with plans to engage games masters across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
“Our main focus is primary schools. In four to five years, the results will be visible,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr George Shita described the board as made up of experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in sports administration and participation.
He expressed confidence that the commission has the capacity to succeed, noting that expectations are high.
He thanked the state government for its support and urged youths to embrace sports as a viable career path, describing sports as a growing industry with economic opportunities.
He cited the rise of Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen as an example of how sports can transform lives.
