The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has reiterated the commission’s dedication to promoting regular internal competitions as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE).

The Chairman disclosed this in Abuja, while declaring open the 6th edition of the One Service One medal (OSOM) Games inside the main bowl of the MKO stadium in Abuja on Thursday.

He emphasized the importance of organising such Games, which, amongst other things, serve as a veritable tool to foster unity and camaraderie among the security agencies.

Dikko said: “We recognise the role the security agencies played in the rich sporting history of our country by producing some of the country’s finest athletes who have done the country proud at various international competitions.

“And at the Sports Commission we acknowledge that the security agencies still have the potential to produce top class athletes for the country which is part of the reasons we are committed like never before to hosting this year’s OSOM Games.

“Under the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy( RHINSE ), mandate given to us by Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Sports Commission is committed to ensuring that there is regular competitions to discover new talents and to keep our athletes actively busy.

“The OSOM Games are more than a competition. It is a building block in our broader vision to reform the Nigerian Sports Sector. As I said earlier, under the RHINSE initiative, we are committed to turning Sports from a field of consumption into one of Production.
That means placing greater focus on local competitions like these.

“I look forward to an exciting six days of competition, and our eyes will be on some of the outstanding athletes that will distinguish themselves at the Games, as we are currently building a sustainable pool of talent that will be ready to make the country proud at international competitions.”

He also used the opportunity to assure the athletes that the Commission will soon embark on infrastructural revamping of the country’s sporting facilities, and the Abuja National Stadium will soon undergo a total facelift, especially with the Pitch.

The Chairman maintained that infrastructural development and athletes’ growth go hand in hand and the Sports Commission is fully committed to making this work.

The OSOM Games brings together all Service Agencies, both Military and paramilitary, to compete under a fair and competitive atmosphere and will run from the 24-30th of April 2025.