MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Albeit a little later than expected, I am pleased to provide our Annual Report for the year 2020.
This past year has presented a mix of opportunities, unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. It has also tested the resilience of many organizations, governments, families, businesses and economies in ways we could never have imagined. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) apparently has transformed the way sport and physical activity is practiced and administered, most notably in developed countries. Nigeria, however, is not an exception to this given the realities of the day.
In spite of all these, LSD Initiative has remained strong and focused throughout the year. Most importantly, we have a committed team of staff propelling us forward and persevering even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to somewhat disrupt our programs and service delivery.
We have established a clear roadmap that guarantees sustainable growth of loofball at the grassroots level, making it one of the fastest emerging sports in today's rapidly changing world. We have identified key areas for growth, adjusted to the demands of time and redesigned our priorities and culture based on our core values of integrity, teamwork, sacrifice, accountability and excellence, putting young people at the center of our considerations. We have also embraced remote work to speed up decision-making, deliberations, networking, among others.
In this report, you'll get to learn about our programs and events, achievements, impact and financial performance in the past year as well as our plans for the future - the future of loofball.
While the challenges of the pandemic are likely to remain for some time to come, I am confident our disciplined holistic approach to sport development will yield positive results that will impact the lives of youths, businesses and societies for many years to come.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours in sport,
Winner Vidiyeno Matahula
Executive Director
FROM THE COO'S DESK
The year 2020 was indeed eventful for the world and its inhabitants and as we all know, it is no longer news that life has adjusted itself into a unique pattern known as the new normal. Some may say it’s a theory, but not all things that present themselves in a certain manner are actually what they really are, it could be a time for birth of new ideas, innovations and creative approaches to doing good; whatever it is, it'd been processed in time and space and should be taken for fate - every crisis is an opportunity in disguise.
For us at Loofball Sport Development Initiative (LSD Initiative), the year turned out to be the most remarkable in the history of our organization, thanks to our highly committed team which has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our work thrive seamlessly. We have long improvised better ways to administer the sport of loofball to the reach of every youth and through virtual technology knowing fully well that keeping in touch with our community is sacrosanct.
Our sport development strategy has evolved for obvious economic reasons. However, it has been even more rewarding for us to witness the joy of satisfying the people we serve. This is the most compelling reason we do the things we do every day passionately.
As we plan and prepare for the year 2021 as an organization, we implore our community and stakeholders to go about doing their legitimate businesses as they abide by rules of healthy living and as the second wave of the dreaded coronavirus disease surges in many countries of the world. We assure our community, it is a phase in life and it will phase out. We look forward to a happy and prosperous year with more exciting programs and initiatives.
Stay safe,
Imoh Essien Bob
Chief Operating Officer
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INTRODUCING LOOFBALL IN SCHOOLS IN ABUJA, FCT (PRE-COVID-19)
Loofball Sport Development Inititiative Receives Permission from FCT Universal Basic Education Board, to Introduce Loofball in Schools
Loofball Sport Development Initiative, on 3rd December, 2019, received permission to formally introduce the sport of loofball in selected primary and junior secondary schools in the FCT. The Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) in their letter charged the organization to report to them on successful implementation of the sport. They also emphasized that the organization collaborate with the Head Teachers/Principals of the selected schools.
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FAMILIARIZATION TOUR OF MEMBER SCHOOLS
24th January, 2020
Members of Loofball Sport Development Initiative paid visits to member schools in Abuja, FCT to formally introduce loofball to the management and staff of the schools. The LSD Initiative team led by the Sport Director, Mr. Edet U. Okon, told the Head Teachers/Principals the fringe benefits their pupils/students stand to gain from the sport especially in the area of health and mental alertness which will lead to high performance in their academics. The Head Teachers/Principals, who received the team with gladness, promised to work with the organization to ensure seamless implementation.
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MEETING WITH GRASSROOTS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS
29th January, 2020
On 29th January, 2020, LSD Initiative team had a meeting with the Grassroots Sorts Development Department (GRSD) of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Director of GRSD, Mr. AARE, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Amaka A., commended the efforts of LSD Initiative and encouraged the organization to do more in propagating loofball in more states and communities. According to the department, LSD Initiative has taken the right step by using the school system to promote loofball.
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LOOFBALL COMMENCES AT CHINESE MODEL NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL, NYANYA, ABUJA
12th February, 2020
On 12th February, 2020, loofball was launched at Chinese Model Primary School Nyanya, Abuja. The pupils did drills and learned basic skills of the sport. It was an exciting moment with the pupils which lasted for about 30 minutes. LSD Initiative continued her activities in the school on a weekly basis, while doing same in other schools.
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GIRLS FOR SPORT COMMENCES
9th March, 2020
‘Girls for Sport’ is one of our special programs designed to present the girl child a space in the world of sports. The program aims to increase participation of girls in sport, thereby undoing the traditional thought that sport is meant for boys and men. This year’s Girls for Sport kicked-off at LEA Primary School, Area 10 Garki Abuja, with many girls in attendance. It was indeed a memorable event and an opportunity for the girls to learn basic skills of loofball.
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DECLARATION OF COVID-19 AS A PANDEMIC
11th March, 2020
While the LSD Initiative continued her school programs, the declaration of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on Wednesday March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). This eventually led to the shutdown of schools nationwide by the Federal Government.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: LOOFBALL SPORT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE POSTPONES ACTIVITIES!
26th March, 2020
Following the shutdown of schools nationwide by the Federal Government, Loofball Sport Development Initiative (LSD Initiative), on March 26, 2020, announced the immediate postponement of all her activities in Nigeria. The coronavirus disease which came as a shock to many countries of the world saw most organizations shutdown activities. LSD Initiative was no exception to the rule as we made a public announcement to that effect.
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LSD INITIATIVE WORKS REMOTELY
Lockdown Period
Given the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant implementation of lockdown by countries of the world, Loofball Sport Development Initiative resorted to working remotely, relating with her community through her social media handles like; Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. We leveraged on the internet space to inform our community of better ways to stay active and safe during the lockdown period. We also had some one-off sessions at strategic locations to demonstrate how to safely practice loofball in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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LSD INITIATIVE JOINS INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS FOR CHILDREN IN SPORT INITIATIVE
10th September, 2020
As part of her commitment to providing safe sporting environment for children, Loofball Sport Development Initiative on 10 September, 2020 became a member of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport, a coalition of more than 60 organizations working to make sport safer for children. The alliance centers on implementation of various components of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport, a free resource designed to guide organisations on safeguarding young people in sport, as well as advocating for children's safety in sports entirely.
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2020 SPECIAL OUTREACHES COMMENCE
24th September, 2020
Outreaches are one of the main events carried out by LSD Initiative every year in her quest to promote the game of loofball at strategic locations in urban and rural areas. The 2020 special outreach program, which lasted for two months, kicked off at Gbagalape, a suburb of Abuja, and stretched to other parts of FCT and Nasarawa State. The program attracted participants especially young people between the ages of 13 and 20.
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SCHOOL RESUMPTION: NO SPORTING ACTIVITY FOR 2020/2021 ACADEMIC SESSION
No Sporting Activities in Schools
Following the resumption of academic activities in primary and secondary schools, the federal government announced the cancellation of all sporting activities in schools for the remaining weeks of 2020. This was in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 among the young ones who are found to be vulnerable to the disease.
IMPACT
1• Children and young people were trained and empowered with sports and moral skills, health tips and basic material s for re-training and skills development.
2• Our programs presented and encouraged the spirit of competition and especially self-challenge in all participants.
3• The coming together of young people from different backgrounds also fostered friendship ties and encouraged integration, which is indispensable in national unity and nation building.
RECOGNITION
LSD INITIATIVE NAMED BEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CHARITY 2020 - NIGERIA
In recognition of her giant strides and effort towards using sport for social good, UK-based Middle East and Africa (MEA) Markets Magazine, on 11th September, 2020, conferred upon Loofball Sport Development Initiative (LSD Initiative) its African Excellence Award as ‘Best Youth Development Charity 2020 – Nigeria’. MEA Markets is a quarterly publication dedicated to researching and publicising the major economic moves and events as they happen across the entire Middle East & Africa region. The publication plays a prominent role in shaping what happens throughout the wider global corporate community.
FINANCIALS
Overview of Balance Sheet
Asset Distribution
Revenue
Analysis of Expenditure
THE FUTURE
1. Loofball Fundamental Guide for schools
2. Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy
3. Covid-19 Guidance
4. Basic Loofball Coaching Manual
With the future uncertainties due to Covid19 in mind, LSD Initiative has employed virtual means to work closely with stakeholders and corporate organizations for safe and effective implementation of her programs and co-creating a new normal for loofball participants.
LSD Initiative shall continue to explore ways to partner with sport loving individuals, stakeholders, government agencies and NGOs who use sport for social good in accelerating her programs as well as drafting a roadmap for schools to better implement the sport of loofball and ensure its sustainable growth at the grassroots level .
APPRECIATION
1. Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB)
2. Grassroots Sports Development Department, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports
3. Polaris Sports Equipment
4. Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)
5. Nigeria Volleyball Federation
6. International Safeguards for Children in Sport Initiative
7. Beyond Sport Foundation
8. FCT Secondary Education Board
9. Flo Beta Connect World
We say a very big thank you and pray the Almighty preserves us for a great, happy and prosperous new year in 2021.
