The Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF), has unveiled a roadmap to popularising shooting sports across Nigeria through sustained grassroots engagement, regional tournaments and a national championship.
President of the Federation, Muhammed Shettima, said this at the closing of the maiden South-East Shooting Competition in Umuahia, Abia State. He said that the initiative would focus on demystify shooting sport and bringing it closer to Nigerians.
The event, which included seminars and shooting activities, was categorised into the Mixed Doubles Pistol, Mixed Doubles Rifle and Para Pistol competitions.
“I want to say once again that this is first of many to follow because we want to make shooting not only a popular sport in Nigeria, but a profitable sport,” Shettima said.
“We want to make shooting the kind of sport that you would want to devote your time and resources to learn it and make Nigeria proud.”
“We only speak of football mostly in Nigeria, but there are other games, and all they need is that little attention, little support, and little push from each and every one of us,” he added.
He said that the sport was often misunderstood as dangerous, stressing that it was a regulated competitive sport similar to archery with strong prospects for youth development and job creation.
According to him, the federation would build on the success of the South-East competition by organising similar tournaments in other geopolitical zones in the country.
Shettima explained that the regional tournaments would culminate into a national championship, where outstanding athletes would be selected and groomed for continental and international competitions.
“Definitely, you will see more regional shooting competition because the moment we have the first Southeast Regional Tournament, it means there will be South-South. There will be South-West, and there will be North-West,” he said.
“After we are able to comb through the length and breadth of the country on regional basis, we will now have a national tournament and at that national tournament, we will select the best shots and escalate them to the continent.”
“That way, we will reach the peak of shooting in the world.”
He noted that the approach aligned with grassroots sports development of the Federal Government, adding that it would give talented youths the opportunity to discover and develop their skills.
The NSF president commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for supporting the hosting of the maiden regional competition, describing the state as having set the pace for the growth of shooting sports in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Lead Shooting Coach for the tournament, Adoyi Elaochi, described the competition as a standard 10-metre air pistol and rifle event aimed at promoting shooting sports in Nigeria.
Elaochi explained that each participant fired 60 shots in line with international regulations and praised Abia State for setting a strong example in developing the sport.
He noted that shooting offers numerous Olympic medal opportunities, highlighting Nigeria’s past participation, stressing the need for sustained investment to develop the sport nationwide.
Abia emerged overall winner at the championship, having won a total of six medals across various events. The state clinched four golds, one silver, and one bronze in the Mixed Doubles Pistol, Mixed Doubles Rifle, and Para Pistol competitions.
Enugu State followed with six medals, comprising one gold, four silver and one bronze, while Imo State won four medals – one silver and three bronze. Anambra State secured one bronze medal at the competition.