Abuja: The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, has committed to restoring the agency’s sports facilities to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of its staff. This announcement was made during a ceremony in Abuja where the NAN team, recently victorious at the 2024 China/NUJ annual Table Tennis tournament, presented their medals and trophies to him.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the team secured four trophies in different categories, including Gold and Bronze in mixed doubles, and Silver in both men’s doubles and men’s singles. Ali expressed his delight over the victory, highlighting the dedication of NAN staff and the management’s consistent support for sports activities.
“We are sports-friendly, and this management is committed to supporting the sports club. Sports binds us as a family and brings out the best in all of us. A team that exercises together wins together. The enormity of this success cannot be understated. You’ve done the agency proud and
spurred the management into action,” Ali stated.
Ali further promised to expedite the rehabilitation of the agency’s sports facilities, including the Volleyball and Basketball courts, and to procure a standard Table Tennis board. “This management is committed to reviving the volleyball court. I wish we also have a functional basketball court, and I think we need to work on that. By the beginning of next year, we will ensure these facilities are upgraded, and collaborate with stakeholders to support our teams for greater achievement,” he added.
He assured the NAN Sports Club (NSC) of ongoing management support, while emphasizing the importance of teamwork and bonding through sports. Tokunbo Adesanya, the Sports Manager of the Club, expressed gratitude to the management for their steadfast support and efforts to rejuvenate sports within the agency. He emphasized the necessity for expanding and refurbishing the agency’s sporting facilities to maintain a competitive edge in sporting competitions.
Adesanya also
appealed to management for the agency’s sports team to register and participate in competitions such as the annual Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA). The highlight of the event was the presentation of the medals and trophies won at the Table Tennis tournament to the managing director.