aerobics

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), H.E. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has emphasized the importance of physical fitness among stakeholders in the sports sector, noting that those responsible for training athletes must also lead by example. Shaibu made this known on Thursday in Abuja while speaking with journalists shortly after participating in the first-ever joint aerobics session involving the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission (NSC), National Institute for Sports (NIS), and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Grassroots Sports Development to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. The weekly keep-fit exercise, according to him, is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration among sports agencies while promoting both physical and mental well-being. “We cannot be in the sports ecosystem and be training others while we are not physically fit. This exercise reflects the kind of collaboration we are advocating among sports agencies, coming together to stay fit and remain physically and mentally alert for the task ahead,” he said. The NIS boss stressed that maintaining good health is critical to productivity, especially in a sector that demands high levels of physical and mental engagement. “We cannot be training sportsmen and women when we ourselves are not fit. We must lead by example. We need to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Health is wealth, we cannot be chasing wealth without also prioritizing our health. Both must go hand in hand,” Shaibu added. Also speaking, the Director of Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Ademola Olajire, commended the initiative, describing it as both refreshing and impactful. “This exercise is very interesting and commendable. Keeping fit in the morning like this is something we would not mind having on a regular basis. It is a wonderful initiative, and we appreciate the NIS for putting this together,” Olajire said. The joint aerobics session, which brought together key stakeholders across Nigeria’s sports administration, is aimed at fostering unity, enhancing wellness, and promoting a culture of fitness within the country’s sports ecosystem.