The Nigeria Association of Sports Medicine (NASMED) has announced plans to revolutionize sports medicine in the country, aiming to protect athletes from career-ending injuries and enhance their overall well-being.
Speaking at a symposium in Abuja marking NASMED’s 30th anniversary, the association’s president, Dr. Olajide Adebola, outlined the organization’s growth and its vision for the future.
“The association has evolved into a multidisciplinary powerhouse, bringing together experts ranging from sports physicians to psychologists,” Adebola said. He added that NASMED was established to provide an independent platform for sports medicine practitioners and has since become a leading professional body in the field.
The symposium, themed *“Charting a New Path for Sports Medicine in Nigeria,”* served as a platform for NASMED to unveil its plans to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish a comprehensive sports ecosystem in the country.
“As an association, we are committed to working collaboratively with relevant bodies to integrate sports physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition, and other key disciplines,” Adebola said. He emphasized the importance of producing more professionals in these fields, noting that without this effort, the country would lack the skilled personnel needed to support athletes nationwide.
Adebola highlighted the need to cater to both elite athletes competing for international recognition and recreational athletes who frequent fitness and wellness centers.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, commended NASMED’s efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the association’s capacity to support athletes.
“What we are doing here is truly significant, and it is vital to promote this effort across Nigeria,” Gumel said.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that both Olympic and non-Olympic sports receive adequate attention. “This seminar is especially important because it raises awareness about the work of NASMED and its impact nationwide,” Gumel added.
He pledged the NOC’s support for NASMED’s initiatives to foster athlete development, promote sports medicine practices, and contribute to Nigeria’s overall development.
The symposium underscored the critical role of sports medicine in safeguarding athletes’ careers while advancing the broader goals of health, fitness, and sports excellence in Nigeria.
