Provide fund for multidisciplinary research – Sports psychologists tell NSC

Sports Psychologists Association of Nigeria, SPAN, has advised the National Sports Commission, NSC, to provide dedicated funding for multidisciplinary research on resilience, stress management and mental health in sports.

SPAN noted that this is necessary in order to generate context-specific and sustainable solutions in sector.

The association made this call at the end of its 38th annual conference held at the University of Ibadan.

In a communique signed by its President, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan and Secretary, Dr. Adesola Afuye and made available to DAILY POST on Thursday, SPAN maintained that grassroots and school sports programmes should embed resilience education to prepare young athletes for long-term success and holistic development.

DAILY POST reports that the conference which has ‘Psychological Resilience for Sustainable Sports Development in the 21st Century and Beyond’ as the theme was attended by scholars, coaches, athletes, policymakers and stakeholders in sports and education.

A professor of Social Work at the Lead City University, Ibadan Professor Jane Adebusuyi, while delivering the keynote address, emphasised the importance of resilience as a foundation for sustainable sports performance and national development.

The lead papers were presented by Dr. Mary Pindar from University of Maiduguri and Professor Prof J. B. Vipene from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, who provided empirical and theoretical perspectives on resilience-building, athlete welfare and mental health in sports.

The association in the communique reaffirmed its commitment to advancing knowledge, practice and policy on psychological resilience as an indispensable pillar of sports development in Nigeria and globally.

It also advised that coaches, sports psychologists, and administrators must be trained to identify, nurture, and strengthen resilience among athletes at all levels of participation.

The association said, “Psychological resilience is a critical determinant of sustained athletic performance, mental health, and career longevity in sports. National and institutional sports policies should mainstream psychological resilience as a core component of athlete development frameworks.

“Coaches, sports psychologists, and administrators must be trained to identify, nurture, and strengthen resilience among athletes at all levels of participation. Grassroots and school sports programmes should embed resilience education to prepare young athletes for long-term success and holistic development.

“The National Sports Commission should provide dedicated funding for multidisciplinary research on resilience, stress management, and mental health in sports to generate context-specific and sustainable solutions. Sports psychologists should utilize digital tools and emerging technologies to enhance mental training, performance monitoring, and resilience-building strategies.

“Special attention must be given to the resilience needs of female athletes, para-athletes, and marginalized groups, recognizing their unique challenges and promoting inclusivity in sports development. Institutionalized social support networks presented as counseling, mentorship, and peer support systems, should be established to enhance athletes’ coping capacities and overall wellbeing.

“International partnerships should be fostered to share best practices, training models, and cross-cultural insights on resilience for sustainable sports development. All stakeholders must commit to embedding psychological resilience within the broader frameworks of sustainable sports development to ensure holistic growth, competitive excellence, and societal well-being in the 21st century and beyond.”

Provide fund for multidisciplinary research – Sports psychologists tell NSC