By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji
Grassroots sports development is crucial for nurturing talent and promoting active lifestyles at the community level. It serves as the foundation for elite sports and contributes significantly to the overall well-being of individuals and society. At the grassroots level, sports programmes focus on inclusivity, accessibility and participation for all, regardless of age, gender or ability. These initiatives often involve local clubs, schools and community organisations working together to provide opportunities for individuals to engage in various sporting activities.
Grassroots sports development plays a vital role in identifying and cultivating young talents. By offering structured training, coaching, and competitive opportunities, grassroots programmes help young athletes to develop their skills and passion for sports. Additionally, these initiatives instill important values such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, shaping individuals not only as athletes but also as responsible and well-rounded members of society.
Moreover, grassroots sports development contributes to the promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle among community members. By encouraging regular physical activities and participation in sports, these programmes help combat sedentary lifestyles and promote overall health and well-being. Through grassroots initiatives, individuals of all ages can access affordable and enjoyable sporting activities, fostering a culture of fitness and wellness within the community.
Furthermore, grassroots sports development serves as a platform for social integration and community cohesion. Sports have the power to bring people together, transcending barriers of race, ethnicity and socio-economic status. By engaging in sports activities at the grassroots level, individuals have the opportunity to interact, build relationships and develop a sense of belonging within their community. This sense of unity and camaraderie fostered through sports can have a positive impact on social cohesion and harmony.
Grassroots sports development is a cornerstone of building a vibrant and healthy sporting culture within communities. By investing in programmes that prioritize accessibility, inclusivity and skill development, we can create a nurturing environment for aspiring athletes, promote active lifestyles and strengthen social bonds. Embracing grassroots sporting initiatives is not only beneficial for individual development but also for fostering a sense of community pride, unity and well-being.
But for Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, empowering the youth is not just a priority, but also a cornerstone for his ISEYA Development Agenda, a social contract which he signed with the good people of Ogun State. For more than five years now, Governor Abiodun has rolled out various initiatives not just to empower the youths, but also to create jobs, improve their livelihoods and enhance their well being. The governor’s investment in youth is massive, yet, he has a passion for sports which is another avenue through which youth empowerment is being pursued. His administration’s focus is on grassroots promotion and talents development.
This boldly underscores the successes recorded by Ogun State at both national and international competitions. For instance, the state ranked 6th on the log of the just concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, returning home with a haul of 37 medals – 11 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze – despite parading some of the youngest athletes in the competition. This achievement speaks volumes about the potential of young talents and a brighter future that lies ahead for sports in the Gateway State.
No fewer than 34 of the state’s young athletes were penciled down for invitation to the national camp in preparation for next year's youth Commonwealth Games.
More notably, Nigeria international and proud daughter of the state, Tobi Amusan, went on to become a world champion in 100m hurdles. Ditto, another proud son of Ogun State, Tunde Onakoya, a Guinness World Record holder for the longest chess marathon in history. His remarkable achievement did not go unnoticed as Governor Abiodun met with him and conferred on him an ambassadorial position to inspire and motivate other young minds in the state to take up big challenges and strive for excellence.
It is most heartwarming that the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, has institutionalised reward for hard work and outstanding performances across all sectors, including sports. Athletes are now being encouraged and motivated, both before and even after events. In line with this commitment, and for the first time in the history of the National Youth Games, the governor approved the cash rewards of N300,000 for gold medalists, N200,000 for silver medalists and N100,000 for bronze medalists.
Governor Abiodun’s vision for sports goes beyond mere entertainment. His goal is to transform sports into an industry that not only empowers the youths but also attracts investments to the state. That is why Ogun State made a successful bid to host the 22nd National Sports Festival. The preparations for the festival are already in top gear. Renovations and construction works are underway in various sporting facilities across the nooks and crannies of the state. One of these facilities is the historical MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta. The VIP section is being upgraded and the football pitch is being replaced. The tracks are being refurbished and a brand new swimming pool is under construction.
Governor Abiodun’s Midas touch transcends football. The governor is providing two tennis courts and two handball courts with state-of-the-art facilities to reduce the over-reliance on Abeokuta Sports Club facilities for competitions. The Alake Sports Complex at Ijeja in Abeokuta is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation. Every facility within the complex is receiving a well deserved upgrade. The multipurpose hall is witnessing a complete overhaul. The roof has been replaced; the floor is witnessing a remarkable transformation while the squash court, which has been hankering for a new lease of life, is being given attention . Governor Abiodun has earned widespread accolades for his contributions to sports infrastructure and has proved his love for sports through his bold actions and not just mere words. This is because successive administrations in the state have only managed to repaint the Alake Sports Complex as a form of renovation, but Governor Abiodun has broken that jinx by giving both officials and athletes a new lease of life, etching his name in gold. For many years to come, his footprints will remain indelible in the sands of time in Ogun State.
Not only has his administration created an enabling environment for sports to thrive, Gov. Abiodun’s reign has also witnessed a series of private innovations such as the Abeokuta 10km Race, Ijebu Marathon Race, Ogun women run, Ogun school sports and the state sports festival.
The governor is far from done. Plans are underway to upgrade more sporting facilities across the state, including the stadia in Ilaro and Ijebu-Ode. For instance, the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode and Gateway International Stadium in Ilaro have experienced power outages and vandalism for several years. Recall that power supply to these facilities was disconnected in 2007 and 2011 respectively. But the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has successfully restored power supply to the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, while work is ongoing at the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro.
Interestingly, Prince Dapo Abiodun has once again demonstrated his foresight and commitment to investing in the state's future, not just for today, but for tomorrow. The youths of the state can therefore rest assured that their governor will leave no stone unturned in helping them to realise their dreams and aspirations.
However, it won't be out of place to chip in here that our sports-loving governor should use the opportunity provided by the postponement of the National Sports Festival to hasten the construction of the Dapo Abiodun SWAN Media Centre. This has become imperative, Your Excellency! Also, the construction of training pitches inside the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta should be given urgent consideration by Mr Governor, as this will encourage grassroots football and the discovery of more talents. Similarly, he should, as a matter of necessity, ensure the construction of the NFF Football House to promote the FIFA Goal Project in the state.
It is instructive to note that concessioning the sports facilities after the festival will not only deter our athletes from having free access to the sporting facilities to train but will kill sports development in the state. The bane of sports development in Nigeria today is the lack of maintenance culture. Providing infrastructure without plans of maintaining them would amount to fetching water in a basket. The state government as a matter of necessity should implement the composition of the Sports Trust Fund and Sports Commission Law. The Sports Commission will ensure talent discovery, nurturing of discovered talents, and proper maintenance of sports infrastructures through the Sports Trust Fund account.
Sports is a social investment. Apart from the economic viability of sports investment, the sector dominated by talented youths also serves as employment generation. Let Mr. Governor use this opportunity to mix well with the people at the grassroots by attending home league matches involving the state-owned football club, Gateway United FC. It will open an opportunity to interact with the grassroots and get first-hand information on the streets. GUFC's albatross is the inability of the state government to invest in the youth team and poor remuneration or good welfare incentives for the players and club management coupled with lack of adequate attention.
Sport is a goldmine sector that can skyrocket the internally generated revenue of the state through intentional planning and investment. The 'wuruwuru to the answer' approach will not yield any meaningful Return on Investment. The governor should develop interest in the day-to-day running of the sport sector of the state. Leaving the sports affairs in the hands of corrupt civil servants will sabotage your efforts sir.
When all of these are done, Mr Governor would have duly earned the most deserving accolade as the "Greater Pillar of Sports in Africa."
. Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, the Ogun State Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), writes from Abeokuta
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