Management of Athletes’ Welfare and Health Services in State Sports Councils in the North Central Zone

The welfare and health management of athletes within state sports councils is a professional obligation that directly influences athletic performance, career longevity, and post-retirement wellbeing. This study examines the management of athletes' welfare and health services in state sports councils across the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with 160 athletes, 45 sports administrators, and 22 sports medicine personnel from sports councils in Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa States completing structured questionnaires. Welfare management dimensions assessed include health insurance provision, sports injury management, nutritional support, psychological support services, educational and vocational development, and retirement transition planning. Findings indicate that formal athlete welfare policies exist in only two of the six state sports councils surveyed. Health insurance coverage is absent for 79 percent of athletes, and sports medicine personnel are insufficient in five of the six councils. Nutritional support programmes are non-existent in all councils, with athletes relying on personal resources for dietary management. Psychological support services are entirely absent across all surveyed councils. Recommendations include developing comprehensive athlete welfare policies as a minimum standard, lobbying for federal minimum standards for state sports council athlete welfare, recruiting qualified sports medicine professionals, and establishing athlete welfare funds through state government appropriation. Keywords: athlete welfare, health services, state sports councils, North Central Nigeria, sports management