Virtually everywhere in the whole wide World engages in one sport or game, and a huge percentage of humanity knows at least one sporting activity. However, this is just a reminder for Okun people of Kogi State to take her rightful place at the global stage.
One fact we must embrace is that, the world is changing and we are in a new age of technology. Thus, a global reset or a new world order is before our very eyes.
As life changes, Okun people could consider the development of sporting activities at the grassroot. How many players have ever been from Okun land that plays football professionally? Could it be concluded that it’s only betting or gambling that people can engage in or being a spectator where one could be on the stage of display? Does it mean we don’t have pitch or football fields? Can the various stadia be maximized beyond campaign ground or amateur football exercise? Do we just pause at yearly or cunningly sponsored football matches for political interest?
How best have Okun people used sports for peaceful coexistence, social coherence, financial freedom, propagation of her uniqueness within the State, Nigeria local leagues or even at major leagues around the world? Does it mean we don’t have talents/ they grow to nationalize to another State or Country?
As a little eye-opener it reminder, there could be a reset in sport and games in the Nigeria, which Okun could tap into to enjoy a solid developmental programme for our young talents or sport lovers, a proper long-term plan from our various schools’ inter-house competitions, philanthropist’s initiatives to organise or sponsor sporting events, to the possibility of creating a indigenous football academy, collaboration with veterans in the area of focus or foreign alliance, and a lot more.
Some countries or families feed, survive and become great through sporting activities, not necessarily Education. This is not to undermine Education, but it is a diversified aspect of Education. Okun people need to improve in the morale support given to young ones about sports and also create enlightenment sessions on how sport could be or collaborate with tourism or even make anyone, family, community or country be on the global stage.
In some schools, we have scramble, chess, relay race, football, volleyball, lawn tennis, golf, basketball, athletic or track and field events etc. Countries like Brazil and Argentina raise a huge fortune in form of gross domestic income from football, aside other sporting activities that is well branded and developed. Kenya and Ethiopia has long retained history in winning marathon race and that has impacted positively on the generations of individuals and Nation as a whole.
Who says Okun can’t be added to such names, either for individual/personal development or to be a pride of a tribe?
In nutshell, Okun could consider to improve sporting activities. Such shouldn’t be taken with levity as if they are not set of serious individuals. Perhaps, all won’t embrace or enjoy the dividends of Education, whereas some could even combine Schooling and Sport together. It’s possible, if we can imagine it, we can become it if we take deliberate and consistent actions.
– Isaac Kayode Obajemu writes from Lokoja.
