Nigeria Steps into the Octagon: MMA Recognized as National Sport.

 

The Nigerian government has officially recognized Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as one of the National Sports Federations under the control and supervision of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development. The approval, which was granted on January 11, 2023, was disclosed by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, on Tuesday in Abuja. The recognition came after a series of interfaces between the Federation's Board and the Ministry, where the Federation agreed to abide by the Code of Governance of all National Sports.

Nigeria Joins the Fight Club

The Minister emphasized that the approval has given the Federation the responsibility to develop, regulate, and ensure the safety of MMA as a thriving sport in Nigeria, in line with global best practices. He also urged the Federation to work towards discovering and developing talents from the grassroots level and to take the game to world-class status by developing and maintaining strict rules and standards. It is worth noting that MMA is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, with an estimated 449 million followers worldwide. With the official recognition of MMA by the Nigerian government, the sport is expected to gain more popularity in the country and attract more enthusiasts.

By

Staff Writer.