Sports, sports people and politics!
Categories: Social
Written By: Segun Odegbami
How many bills related to sports have either been presented or passed by the National Assembly since the advent of the present political dispensation? What are the problems or challenges encountered by members of the assembly in formulating a new way for sports development and promotion in the country if the present system is not producing the desired results? Why are stakeholders in sports and the sports business depending on others outside their field to promote and defend their cause(s)? Why have sportsmen not joined the political field and positioned themselves to institutionalize those structures, laws and policies that would advance the cause of sports? How many former top-class national and international athletes from various sports are in States and the National Assembly? Isn’t it time former sports internationals with solid athletic and academic backgrounds took to the political landscape and did in the political arena what they mastered on the courts, fields and tracks? How well will they fare in this strange environment? If they don’t go there would we ever know?
This is my take on the questions: for people of exceptional talent, brought up to be fit and healthy, developed physically and psychologically to confront extreme physical challenges and opposition, trained to test their capacity against the frontiers of pain and endurance, honed on teamwork, a Spartan life of strict regimen and discipline, collective responsibility and uncommon passion, friendship and the winning spirit, patience, perseverance, fair play, the joy of victory and the pain of failure, perhaps it is time to take all these values to the political plane and to show Nigerians the way of champions!
Wow! That’s some thought. What do my readers think?
March 20th, 2009 at 8:33 PM
A global trend is emerging in sports where former athletes, famous and not-so-famous, are becoming involved and engaged in the political dispensation. These former athletes are involved because they want to secure the future of sports in their various countries. Many of them have been appointed as commissioners, director or ministers of sports. And many soon become obsolete and inconsequential after their their service is done. A case in point is Pele in Brazil.
But many former athletes have successfully gone through the political process and have made significant contributions to sports. They include Howie Meeker, Otto Jelinek, Frank Mahovlich, J.C Watts, Steve largent, jack kemp, Bill Bradley, Sebastien Coe, Imran Khan, the cricketer from Pakistan, and Dawn Fraser. Others include Arnold Schwarzegger, Jesse Ventura.
These individuals campaigned and got ELECTED. In Europe, the trend is growing. In Africa, with Mutumbo publicly saying that he would run for election after his career is over, the trend is just emerging and interest is picking up. In Nigeria, one or two former footballers have attempted in the northern part to engage in politics but the attempt failed. Why?
Some us in the Diaspora feel very strongly that the time is right to mobilize for a political movement in Nigeria. Nigerian athletes must chart a new course for Nigerian sport. This is a call to action!
March 21st, 2009 at 3:58 AM
I am definitely among the many former athletes who feel the time has come to begin participating and help change the Nigerian experience. The effort must not only be in sports but also in other areas of our political and economic life.
It was interesting to read in the news recently, about the current effort being made by Nigerian Minister for communication to rebrand Nigeria and the need for a better image. Somebody I think forgot along the line to call, recall, remember, acknowledge, or even thank our athletes over the years that have time after time in every case repair our damaged image both home and abroad.
The very special courage, determination, and talents that made us at one point in time household names in nigeria and elsewhere, should provide us with a start, and eventually work our way into positions that will impact the development of sports in nigeria.
This call to action by Dr. S Abdullahi must be taken seriously and supported. We all have a stake in the way forward.
March 21st, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Where is Muda Lawal, and Felix Owolabi. We need to know how these guys are doing. Mr. Odegbami can you give a lead.
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 AM
Moses. Muda lawal is late. Felix is alive and kicking. he works with the Oyo State government!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Well,quite funny that some people didn’t know the Midfield Maestro Mudashiru Babatunde lawal passed away several years ago.Yes, he is dead and buried in Abeokuta,Ogun State.