Chinese Embassy Seeks Stronger Sports Ties with Nigeria, Proposes Dedicated Communication Channel|LAGOS EYE

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has called for deeper collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and proposed the establishment of a dedicated China-Nigeria sports communication channel to enhance cooperation in the sector.

This was made known by the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Yang Jian Xing, during a diplomatic visit to the NSC leadership on Tuesday in Abuja.

The visit followed the visa delay incident involving Team Nigeria, which led to the country’s withdrawal from the World Relays in Guangzhou, China.

Mr. Xing expressed deep regret over the visa challenges, describing the incident as an unfortunate accident. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s aspirations for sports development.

“We are here to express our sincere regrets over what happened. It was an accident, and we are very sorry,” he said. “The Chinese Government holds Nigeria in high esteem, and we are committed to fostering stronger diplomatic ties, especially in the area of sports training and exchange programmes.”

Mr. Xing also proposed the creation of a special China-Nigeria sports communication channel to prevent such occurrences in the future and to ensure seamless cooperation between both countries.

In response, the Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, welcomed the Chinese delegation, describing the visit as a significant step toward mending and strengthening relations between the two nations in the sporting arena.

“We are happy to receive you. Your visit is a strong signal of the Chinese Government’s genuine commitment to moving forward from this incident,” Dikko said. “We believe this will open new doors for collaboration in sports and beyond.”

The Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, also commended the Chinese envoy for his humility and diplomatic approach, expressing optimism that the incident would serve as a catalyst for a more robust partnership.

“Your approach is exemplary, and we appreciate the proposals for exchange programmes and training opportunities for our athletes and media professionals,” Olopade said. “We are looking forward to a more fruitful relationship between Nigeria and China in the sports sector.”