Philip Shaibu, the director-general of the National Institute for Sports, has applauded the institute’s ‘special committee’ for successfully submitting its report on institutional transformation and pledged its full implementation.

Speaking during the official presentation of the report on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Shaibu, describing the team as “star-studded and result-oriented,” added that the Institute would begin implementing the report.

A 32-member committee was established in August, tasked with setting a roadmap and mandate for the institute.

The team, comprising professionals from sports, academia, corporate institutions, and the media, was led by Musa Kida, president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and chairman of NNPCL.

“NIS is the engine room of sports in Nigeria. When you train excellent coaches, they produce excellent athletes,’’ Mr Shaibu said while receiving the report. “Our mandate is to bring NIS back to life and make it a true center of excellence not only for Nigeria but for Africa. I want to assure the chairman and the committee that this will not be another document that will go under the table or on the shelf.”

Mr Shaibu added , “I can assure you that we are ready to work and we’ll look at all the recommendations, and we’ll see how we can implement them to the benefit of our country. We will be releasing a list of persons who will be in the advisory council for the implementation of this document, and you, Kida, will still head the implementation committee.”

Upon assuming duty at the NIS, Mr Shaibu reiterated his commitment to restoring the institute’s lost glory after years of neglect and institutional decay.

(NAN)