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Last week the attention was on Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara. I had planned a follow up from a different perspective but shelved it for today’s discourse. Not minding what we do in our beloved country, sports is a big, potent fact in societal transformation.
Contrary to how we see the sector and the near nonchalant attitude we apply in the handling of affairs in the sector, sports is a structured organic component of any society that has a life of its own. It guarantees employment. Provides outlet for self actualization. We know sports men and women are billionaires in their own rights. This status has more significance for a society like ours, where organization is still very rudimentary, thereby causing high levels of various kinds of economic and social dislocations to citizens. A sense of communalism means one can be responsible for the well-being of well over 30 persons.
Sports when well done places a society on very high rungs of the ladder, where her words begin to gain not only traction but attention as well. America didn’t just emerge a world leader it has been for a very long time. By the 80s, even though the country had done well in other facets of development, America barely knew anything about football. They had soccer but it was something different. Football was the attraction across the world, it pulled the crowds and drew attention to nations. American leaders didn’t need further promptings from any corner to join and they approached the sport in the manner of people that think.
They built world class facilities, recreated sports departments in their educational institutions, created leagues and put forward various incentives. Within a short time the nation has become one to reckon with in football. The country’s female national team is among the best three in the world. We began before them but in all about the game we are still third world.
Nobody has cared to sit down and come up with a plan to make the sports departments in our schools to align with national goals and aspirations. What are the national goals? Do they include a country that is respected and has a voice beyond our shores? How does spots development aid our aspirations? These are some of the questions we have not asked, not to talk of providing answers. They are questions we must ask.
We have given the example of America, but the other would be China. In my young years in journalism it was common to read news about the Western countries harassing China over the practice of ‘catch them young.’ To gain ascendance in sports dominance and reckoning, China began a policy of introducing six year olds to different sports. They grow up mastering the art and turning champions in the various events. Currently, football is receiving special attention. For this reason they have built up facilities, opened the league to foreign players, including special incentives to attract stars from the Western countries, to make them see China as a destination. It is working.
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What are we doing? Our athletes and football players are mainly those raised and groomed in developed Western countries. Many began from schools they attended and special sports academies. Where are ours? What standards do they have?
Super Eagles participated in the African Nations football tournament that just ended in Morocco. They team came third. The team gave a good account of themselves not that they had excellent outing.No. You can’t have excellent if you done win the main prize. They played better than Senegalese national team thatb eventually won but Senegal won the trophy because they know success requires far more than throwing money at challenges.
The country doesn’t have our size or population but anybody that has followed their football would see they have managed to put a structure in place. The national team including those of age grades have remained high performing for decades running. It is not a happenstance.
Confederation of African football has become a business organization. That too is beginning to take a toll on professional organization of football in the continent. The Arabs, always wanting a foothold in Black Africa has found a messenger in Morocco. So, funds are readily available and Morocco is hosting one competition after another. This is becoming problematic. Untoward extraneous behavior is definitely coming into football administration. Contradictions are beginning to emerge. We saw much of the consequences in the just concluded AFCON.
Senegal survived the intrigues because they give serious attention to football development in the country. The team is solid in all departments and the mentality is excellent: defy all obstacles, keep and focus on the task at hand. Their boys who ply their trades abroad kept a cool head and were totally committed to the success of the team. They never gave in to intimidation and rough tackles. It was for them grit-for-grit. Compare that to some we had in our team. Sadio Mane or Kolibaly, very rich foreign players, didn’t work around as special players or show they needed to be all and all in the field. The Senegalese stars played normal game, roving without any sign they could be exhausted.
As the competition has ended everything returns to a standstill until the eve of another encounter. That’s when we begin to run helter skelter. We have heard the sports authorities speak but they would have sounded clear they would meet with Coach Eric Chille to talk. He did well and would be in demand. What are the plans for the female and under-age teams? What about stadia that are dilapidated? Would they have to wait till we want to bid to host?
