Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) President Olabisi Joseph has achieved another landmark in international school sports administration following her appointment to the Management Committee of the International School Sports Federation (ISF).
Joseph’s latest elevation comes just days after making history as the first African woman and the first woman globally to be elected as the ISF Continental President for Africa and a member of the federation’s Executive Committee.
Her nomination to the Management Committee was confirmed during the ISF Annual General Meeting held on July 21, where she was selected alongside Elena Mickovska of North Macedonia.
Seven-Member Committee to Lead ISF
Joseph and Mickovska complete the seven-member Management Committee that will oversee the federation’s governance for the 2026–2030 term.
The committee comprises ISF President Željko Tanasković, Vice-Presidents Antônio Hora Filho, Youssef Belqasmi, and Lianshuai Teng, Secretary General Hasnae El Ayoubi, as well as Joseph and Mickovska.
According to the ISF, the establishment of the Management Committee represents a significant milestone in shaping the federation’s governance structure for the new administration.
In the coming months, the Executive and Management Committees are expected to reconstitute specialised bodies, including the ISF Technical Commission, as part of efforts to strengthen school sport development and governance across the world.
Serbia Reaffirms Support for School Sports
The inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Executive Committee was attended by Dejan Bojović, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of Serbia.
Bojović welcomed the committee members and reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to supporting the ISF’s mission of advancing school sports globally through stronger international cooperation.
His remarks highlighted the importance of collaborative leadership in expanding opportunities for young athletes across different continents.
Historic Recognition for Nigeria
Joseph’s appointment further reinforces Nigeria’s growing profile in international sports administration while highlighting her continued contributions to the development of school sports.
The ISF described her election as a reflection of the federation’s commitment to greater diversity and inclusion within its leadership structures.
“The new Executive Committee reflects the growing diversity of the ISF community. Gender representation continues to develop across the Federation, with three new female assessors elected to the Executive Committee. Olabisi Joseph of Nigeria, a former ISF Executive Committee member, was also elected as the first ever female ISF Continental President,” the federation said.
A Milestone for African School Sports
Joseph’s appointment marks another significant breakthrough for African representation in global school sports governance.
As President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation, she has played a leading role in promoting grassroots sports and expanding opportunities for student-athletes across the country.
Her inclusion on the ISF Management Committee not only strengthens Nigeria’s voice in shaping international school sports policies but also signals a new era of inclusive leadership within the federation.
The appointment is expected to further enhance Africa’s participation in global school sports initiatives while inspiring more women to pursue leadership roles in sports administration.