Mary Waya, a prominent figure in the world of netball, has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the sport’s development in Nigeria.
As a World Netball Ambassador, she expressed her dedication to fostering grassroots, school, and community-level netball initiatives, with the long-term goal of establishing netball clubs across the country.
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In a recent conversation with a trustee of the CSED Initiative, a leading NGO driving netball development in Nigeria, Waya emphasized her desire to build upon the groundwork laid during her previous visit to the country.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Waya facilitated the training and certification of 24 Nigerian netball coaches in March 2020, marking a significant milestone in the revival of netball in Nigeria.
Following the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Nigeria, the CSED Initiative launched its “Project 2027” grassroots netball development program in July 2022.
The initiative aims to introduce netball to one million Nigerian school children, train 1,200 physical education teachers in netball, and promote the participation of Nigerian schoolgirls in the sport.
To date, the CSED Initiative has trained over 350 PE teachers, athletes, and community youths as netball coaches, successfully introducing netball to students in seven states across Nigeria.
The initiative’s next target is Cross River State, where further netball development activities are planned.
Waya expressed her intention to continue supporting netball development in Nigeria by nurturing more certified coaches, umpires, and administrators.
She commended the collaboration between the CSED Initiative and university departments, such as the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science at UNIBEN and the University of Uyo, in exploring certificate programs and online courses focused on netball and sport for change.
Additionally, Waya highlighted the importance of research initiatives aimed at leveraging netball and other sports to support vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, wards of the state, and refugees in Nigeria.
She underscored the potential of sports as a tool for empowerment and social inclusion, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to harness its benefits effectively.
As Mary Waya continues to champion netball development in Nigeria, her collaborative efforts with organizations like the CSED Initiative and academic institutions are poised to drive positive change and empower communities through sport.
