FOOTBALL AND SPORTS AS VERITABLE TOOL FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION TO STARDOM

BY GTI RESEARCH Visit: www.gti.com.ng The definition of sport usually includes a broad and inclusive spectrum of activities suitable to people of all ages and abilities. By its very nature, sport is about participation, inclusion and citizenship. Sport has a unique power to attract, mobilize and inspire. Its intrinsic values - teamwork, fairness, discipline, respect for the opponent and the rules of the game - can be harnessed in the advancement of solidarity, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Sport as a universal language is a empowering women; and combating powerful tool to promote peace, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other tolerance and understanding by diseases. Therefore, any investment in bringing people together across sporting events cannot be easily boundaries, cultures and religions. quantified in terms of its socio- economic end value in a society like It is worthy to note that sport has . been linked to the Millennium Development Goals. In the past, sport Currently, investors, private and has been most commonly linked to public, across the globe (Nigeria eradication of poverty and extreme inclusive) are actively yearning for hunger; achieving universal primary opportunities to participate in and education; responding to the reap the rewards of the expanding psychosocial needs of victims of sports industry. Therefore, actors in disasters and emergencies; sport, academia, private sector, non- promoting gender equality and profit and non-governmental

2 organizations, government agencies, Back home, sport (football inclusive) UN agencies and international is a social tool for nationhood organizations, the media, the general building and a symbol of unity. No public as well as young people are wonder Franz Beckenbauer, a former increasingly interested in the German football manager opined potential of sport as a tool to reach that "football is one of the world's personal, community, national and best means of communication. It is international development impartial, apolitical and universal. objectives. They are also interested Football unites people around the in how sport can be used as a tool world every day. Young or old, for addressing some of the players or fans, rich or poor, the challenges that arise from game makes everyone equal. Stirs the humanitarian crises and in conflict imagination, makes the people happy and post-conflict settings. and makes them sad."

As sport becomes increasingly part of Sport can be undertaken on an humanitarian and development work, amateur, professional or semi- as well as a part of the corporate professional basis, depending on social responsibility practices of whether participants are incentivized some private sector actors, for participation (usually through interested parties are anxious to payment of a wage or salary). explore the potential, as well as the limitations, of sport in their work. Amateur participation in sport at lower levels is often called In March 2003 a ‘UN Inter-Agency "grassroots sport". Task Force’ published a report, “Sport for Development and Peace: Sport can be differentiated into Towards Achieving the MDGs.” The different categories as provided by report states that “the world of sport the International Olympic Committee presents a natural partnership for the (IOC). The different types of sports UN system” and that well-designed categories are Individual Sports, sport-based initiatives are practical Partner Sports, Team Sports and and cost-effective tools to contribute Extreme Sports. to the achievement of the MDGs.

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 3 A major source of emotionally socio-economic status of an charged, shared experiences can be individual or nation and can help found in sports. Leaders from Adolf children learn lifelong skills, empower Hitler to Nelson Mandela have tried women and communities and remove to use success in important sports discrimination. Also, it is an competitions to strengthen national educational tool that fosters identities. Of all sports, football is cognitive development; teaches certainly among the most associated social behaviour; and helps to with national feelings, as illustrated integrate communities. The term by the passionate worldwide socioeconomic refers to the following of international soccer interaction between the social and competitions such as the FIFA World economic habits of a group of Cup. Indeed, the outpouring of people. Socioeconomic links financial patriotic sentiment triggered by a and social issues together. major football win is undeniable – as put by British historian Eric One of the main reasons many Hobsbawm (1990), “the imagined people choose to participate in sport community of millions seems more is to maintain their overall fitness. real as a team of eleven named Participating in sports is an excellent people.” way to help maintain your overall health and wellbeing. One of the People get very excited about sports. reasons that they have become so They are very identifying with the popular in society is overall team they like. They build a kinship entertainment value. with the others who like the same team. This is why sport can be utilized The benefits of active sports to help build a nation. If people in a participation include Exercise which country share a mutual desire for a triggers chemicals in the brain that particular sport or a certain team can make you feel happier and that shared desire can give them relaxed; it strengthens the heart; something similar that makes them gives new connections; improves lung feel that they are in the same part of function; increased confidence, the same nation. reduces stress, improves mental health and builds leaders. Sport has a means of upgrading the

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 4 Also, regular physical activity or It is very certain that the life and cardiorespiratory fitness decreases status of some of the athletes that the risk of cardiovascular disease in participated and also won medals in general and coronary heart disease the just concluded Tokyo 2020 mortality in particular. Regular Olympics will be completely physical activity prevents or delays transformed from obscurity to the development of high blood stardom with juicy rewards and pressure, and exercise reduces blood various accolades. pressure in people with hypertension. In the case of Nigeria, the forerunners From the foregoing, harvesting the of Nigerian sports that were exalted abundant sporting talents in a to prominence and fame includes country has a way of boosting the Emmanuel lfeajuna who won a gold national image through winning medal in the High Jump event at the laurels in continental and global 1954 , Hogan sports events. It is also a means of ‘Kid’ Bassey who brushed aside stiff social transformation for individual competition from others and became athletes from grass to grace; from the World Featherweight Boxing king poverty to riches as well as from in 1957 and Richard Ihetu, a.k.a. Dick obscurity to fame. Tiger who won the World Middleweight crown and later the On the global stage, some of the World Light Heavyweight crown in the athletes had been propelled to fame late 50s and early 1960s. and acquired stupendous wealth from participating in sports. In recent As we celebrate here some of our times, athletes like Serena Williams, great sportsmen and women who Lionel Messi, Christian Ronaldo, made Nigeria proud with their God- Conor Mcgregor, Lebron James, given talent it is worthy to note that Lewis Hamilton, Mikel Obi, Anthony the list is largely inexhaustible and if Joshua, Odeon Ighalo, etc. to there is one thing that has brought so mention a few are shining examples much joy and global relevance to of the transformative effect of sports Nigeria in its more than 60 years of in their lives. They have also won independence, it is the exceptional laurels and several awards for self performances of these athletes. and country.

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 5 Emmanuel Okala, ‘The man mountain’, 94 World Cup after which he retired as he was called, was the tallest as one of the longest-serving goalkeeper to have represented captains of Super Eagles with 60 Nigeria at the big stage. Playing for caps. Keshi recorded some landmark Rangers’ International during his achievements as a coach; including active days, it was said that the qualifying Togo for her maiden FIFA opposing strikers dreaded his World Cup finals in 2006 and led physique between the sticks. He was Nigeria to AFCON victory in 2013 as in goal when Nigeria’s Green Eagles a coach, 19 years after doing the won gold in the football event of same as a player. He passed on in 1973 All Africa Games hosted by Benin City in 2016. Nigeria. Okala holds the record of Nigeria’s first African Footballer of Austin Okocha, fondly called ‘Jay Jay’ the Year. is regarded as the most skillful African player that never won the Africa Olusoji Fasuba proudly remains Footballer of the Year Award despite Africa’s fastest man to date and his his immense contributions to African record set more than 15 years ago football. He, however, won the BBC has not been matched let alone African Footballer of the Year Awards broken. He was part of the Nigerian in 2003 and 2004. Though he came quartet that won bronze in the into the limelight playing for Eintracht 4x100m relay at the 2004 Olympics. Frankfurt. Okocha went on to play for Fasuba later picked silver at the some of the best clubs in Europe 2006 Commonwealth Games. including Fenerbahce, PSG, and then Bolton Wanderers. He was part of the , there is hardly any victorious Super Eagles that won the success in Nigerian football history Nations Cup in 1994 and qualified for past or present not linked to the ‘Big the World Cup in the USA. He stood Boss’. As a player, Keshi won the out as the most consistent Super WAFU Cup twice with New Nigeria Eagles player in France 98 World Bank (NNB). He then moved to Cup – a performance that earned Abidjan and played for Stade’ him a then African record deal with Abidjan and Africa Sports. He also PSG. won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 in Tunisia and was at the USA Hogan Bassey, this punch-for-punch

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 6 boxer shouldered the dreams and change the face of sports in Nigeria. aspirations of millions of Nigeria and Always proud of his roots, Joshua has campaigned for honours in the a street named after him in Sagamu, featherweight category. Hogan was Ogun State. He also proudly the first Nigeria-British born boxer to presented his world titles to President become a world boxing champion Muhammadu Buhari in London to after he shed his blood to win a further show his affinity for the featherweight bout in 1957 in country. Liverpool. He spent most of his life in Liverpool but later returned to Nduka Ugbade was the captain of Nigeria where he turned boxing the all-conquering Nigeria 1985 FIFA coach. He died in 1998. U-17 side that took the world by storm to win the Kodak World Cup in China. Dick Tiger Ihetu (Richard Ihetu), Ugbade was part of the football occupies the second spot in the generation that put St. Finbarr’s pecking order of boxing pioneers in College on the world map. This Nigeria. Born in 1929, Tiger knew hardworking defender won silver in boxers could change the world and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi he did just that. He expressed his Arabia. Loved for his preference for disdain for slavery through boxing. youth football, Ugbade was one of He then became the first Nigerian to the assistants as Nigeria U-17 side keep both World Middleweight and went on to win the 2013 World Cup in Lightweight belts. Dick Tiger UAE. defeated Gene Fulmer in 1953 in a middleweight bout staged at Liberty Nduka Odizor remains the biggest stadium - a fight that was to Tennis player Nigeria has ever pave the way for a new dawn for produced after he became the first boxing in Nigeria. Nigerian to play at the Olympics Tennis event of Seoul 88 summer Anthony Joshua (OBE) is a Nigerian- Games. He regularly featured in the born British boxer who etched his Grand Slams in the early and mid- name in the history books of sports 80s. Nigeria is yet to fill the void left personalities whose professionalism behind by Odizor who had one and hunger for success helped career title win and seven doubles titles to his credit.

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 7 Asisat Oshoala is the undisputed 4x400m relay team which comprised queen of women football in Nigeria Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu and and even the poster girl for the game Enefiok Udo Obong, to win a silver in Africa. Apart from clinching the medal (upgraded to Gold) at Sydney Africa Women Championship diadem 2000 Olympics. The Kogi State-born with Super Falcons three times in athlete’s personal best time was 2014, 2016, and 2018, Oshoala has 44.63 seconds, and he holds the also been superb as far as club African indoor record following 45.51 football is concerned. Her success seconds’ indoor winning time. It’s on a stories at clubs like Arsenal, Dalian good note that the late Bada won FC of China and Barcelona makes three medals at the 1997 World her stand tall in the roll call of Indoor Championships. After his players that have come out of the retirement from athletics, Bada, who continent. She has won the CAF was with the Nigeria Police Force, Africa Women Footballer of the Year rose to become the AFN technical Awards on four occasions in 2014, director, a post he held until his death 2016, 2017, and 2019. in December 2011.

Chioma Ajunwa-Opara was a Mary Onyali, a five-time Olympian footballer and sprinter all rolled into from 1988 – 2004 is regarded as one one. It was a huge surprise when her of the best female sprinters Nigeria shocking but stunning 7.12 meters first ever produced. Onyali dominated the jump earned Nigeria her first gold stage for decades despite her medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics healthy rivalry with Tina Iheagwan, thus becoming the first athlete in Chioma Ajunwa, and Endurance history to win a gold medal for Ojokolo among others. She won the Nigeria at the Olympics. Presently, an bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m relay Assistant Commissioner of Police in at the 1992 and in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). She the 200m at the 1996 Olympic has also won several National and Games. She also won the 1994 International Awards. Commonwealth Games 100 meters title. Sunday Bada, a great quarter-miler will be remembered for the role he Falilat Ogunkoya is another great played when he anchored Nigeria’s female sprinter who rubbed shoulders

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 8 with some of the world best in the participate in major basketball 400 meters during her active years. tournaments globally. She was highly tipped to win 400 meters gold at the 1996 summer Bose Kaffo is arguably Nigeria’s best Olympics in Atlanta, but she settled ping ponger after five appearances for the bronze behind Marie Jose at the Olympics Games from 1992 to Perec of France and Cathy Freeman 2008, Kaffo was the name on every of Australia. She is one of the most lip as far as Table tennis is decorated female athletes in Nigeria concerned. Kaffo was a successful with a record 14 career medals (6 sportswoman in her field winning gold, 6 silver, and 2 bronze). This fifteen medals (seven gold) in singles African record holder has a personal and doubles at six consecutive All- best time of 49.10s. Africa Games from 1987 to 2007. She partnered with Abiola Odumosu and Olumide Oyedeji is a bundle of talent Olufunke Oshonaike in the doubles in who led Nigeria to her first-ever Afro three Olympics Games and the trio Basket trophy in Tunisia in 2015. A dominated Africa for over two record nine appearances in FIBA decades. Africa Nations Cup in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, Segun Toriola remains the most and 2015 makes him stand out as an decorated Table Tennis player in icon in the slamming and dunking Nigeria with a record 13 All Africa game. A true patriot, who featured in Gold medals, 8 African Championship every All Africa Games, Oyedeji’s gold medals and two Commonwealth effort and immense contributions Games gold medals to his credit. were rewarded with a gold medal in With a whopping 35 medals in his 2011 having won 3 Bronze medals in medal’s cabinet, this living legend 1999, 2007, 2015, and a silver in etched his name in the sands of time 2003. Oyedeji has featured in the and will be remembered as one of Olympic Games, World Cup, the icons that shaped the face of Commonwealth Games, All Africa sports in Nigeria. This old warhorse Games, NBA, Euro-League, Asia also participated in seven Olympic Championships, and South American Games and he is still very much active basketball leagues to become the in Table Tennis. first African basketball player to

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 9 Chika Chukwumerije, the little known Africa again in 1994 as he played a intelligent, young, and astute son of a vital role in the Super Eagles World former politician, Uche Cup qualification in 1994. For the Chukwumerije, until he won record, Yekini became the player to Taekwondo gold medal in the Male score Nigeria’s first World Cup goal Heavyweights class at 2003 All in a 3-1 demolition of Bulgaria in the Africa Games that he came to group opener. He scored a whopping limelight. With little or no funding for 253 goals from 164 appearances for Taekwondo, his rich dad picked up 14 clubs he played for. The former his training bills and he eventually Victoria Setubal striker featured in qualified for the 2004 Olympics but USA 1984 and France ‘98 World Cup could not make any appreciable and was capped 58 times by Nigeria impact. He, however, returned four with 37 goals to show for it; the years later to become Nigeria’s best highest to date. Yekini died in 2012, in medal prospect in the 2008 summer somewhat controversial Beijing Olympics where he became circumstances. the first Nigerian to win a bronze medal in Taekwondo. Chika was a Daniel Amokachi “The Bull” came to gold medalist at the 2007 All-Africa national limelight in 1988 as one of Games in the +80 kg class. Chika will the great football players from be remembered as the man that Nigeria that has achieved a lot for changed the face of Taekwondo in himself, Clubs and country. He had a Nigeria. very successful professional career right from Nigeria to Belgium, remains Nigeria’s England, , USA and UAE. He greatest goal poacher of all time. won the AFCON with the National Rising from UNTL FC of in the Team in 1994 and the Olympics Gold ’80s, Yekini was an ideal striker to medal in 1996. He won numerous any coach. His goal sense and ability individual awards including the back to convert half-baked chances were to back African Footballer of the the additions that stood him out as Year Award 1995 and 1996. After his Nigeria’s best striker of all time. With playing career, he coached both at his blockbuster shots, he sent jitters the Club level and National Team. down the spines of goalkeepers. His Presently, he is the Special Assistant to many goals ensured Nigeria ruled The President of the Federal

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 10 Republic of Nigeria on Sports. in March 2014, a second corrective surgery was successfully conducted in Tijani Babangida is a veteran the . Moved by his professional football player that won survival, he opted to run Kanu Heart the Olympic Gold Medal in Atlanta Foundation, an NGO which carries 1996 Olympics, featured in the FIFA out free treatment on children born World Cup and played for the with a heart defect. Nigeria National Football Team for several years. He is a very fast player Segun Odegbami was so good in and had a successful football career football that iconic radio in Europe and Asia. He has received commentator Ernest Okonkwo named several awards including the Member him ‘Mathematical Odegbami’ having of the Order of Niger (MON). attended one of the Polytechnic Presently, he is the President of Ibadan where he graduated as an Professional Footballers Association engineer. Odegbami, alongside Felix of Nigeria (PFAN). Owolabi and late Mudashiru Lawal, were the three musketeers that made was a member of the IICC thick in the 80’s. Their talent for all-conquering U-17 side that won the club and country was rewarded as World Cup in Japan 93. He is an icon Green Eagles won the 1980 Africa of Nigerian football that went on to Cup of Nations on home soil. win the prestigious UEFA Champions Odegbami won 46 caps for Green League with Ajax in the 1993/94 Eagles and scored 23 goals. After season alongside George Finidi. retiring from football, Odegbami Kanu was captain when Nigeria won embraced sports marketing under his the football gold at Atlanta 1996. brand name Worldwide Sports. He This bundle of skills was later presently runs the Segun Odegbami diagnosed of having heart disorder International College & Sports by an Inter Milan doctor after it was Academy. He also anchors the discovered that the gangling striker programme “Sports Parliament” on was born with a congenital heart NTA 2. defect in 1996. ‘The Chairman’ was Papillo as was fondly called was the captain of the victorious Green operated on and he recovered, but Eagles that won the 1980 Africa Cup

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 11 of Nations on home soil. A born the limelight as a teen almost two leader, Chukwu remains one of the decades ago has been waxing strong best centre-backs the national team and stronger in table tennis. With has ever produced. Chukwu’s talent many successes on the home front was well known. His coaching career and the continent, she made her first began with a stint in Lebanon in 1990 appearance at the Olympics in 1996 before moving on to manage in Atlanta. Twenty-four years later, Harambee Stars of Kenya in 1998. He she is still on top of her game and has bagged the Super Eagles job in qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic 2003 and steered Nigeria to win Games. Oshonaike is not just the first bronze in 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. female table tennis player to achieve Chairman remains one of the icons of the feat; she is also the first woman Nigerian football given his from Africa in any discipline to reach contributions to the growth of the milestone. Funke Oshonaike was football in the country in the last 60 officially inducted into the ITTF Club years. 7.

Blessing Okagbare unarguably is one Odunayo Adekuroye, from being a of the greatest sprinters the African hawker in the streets of Akure, Ondo continent has ever produced, State, Adekuroye is living her dream Okagbare has been a shining light in as a fulfilled wrestler ranked the last decade; winning all that alongside the very best in the world. counts in the track and field event. With virtually no match on the Her journey to stardom began at the continent, Adekuroye looks destined 2008 Olympics where she surprised for greater things on the global all including herself to win a silver stage. The double Commonwealth medal in the event. She Games champion is widely seen as also has IAAF World Championships one of Nigeria’s brightest medal 200m bronze, Long Jump Silver, IAAF prospects at Tokyo 2020 but failed to World Cup 100m bronze. Okagbare pick a medal at the Olympics. proudly owns the Nigerian 100m record at 10.79 seconds and 200m Mikel Obi is one of the most record at 22.04 seconds. decorated Nigerian players of all time; little wonder he emerged as the Funke Oshonaike since bursting into second-best player at the FIFA U-20

For inquiries, visit www.gti.com.ng or email: [email protected] 12 World Cup in the Netherlands just medals won at the African Wrestling behind Lionel Messi. Mikel, who is one Championship every year since 2010 of the only three Nigerians to have in the last 11 years except in 2012 lifted the UEFA Champions League, when she did not participate. She has also enjoyed glowing moments also won a Gold medal at the with the Nigeria national teams right Commonwealth Games and recently, from U-17 to the Super Eagles where the first Nigerian Wrestler to win a he was a member of the 2013 all- Silver Medal at the just concluded conquering Super Eagles squad that Tokyo 2020 Olympics. lifted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in faraway South The aforementioned Nigerian Africa. Mikel’s contributions to sportsmen and women have in no football development on and off the small measure contributed immensely pitch when Nigeria won the bronze to the image and socio-economic medal in the football event at the Rio development of the country. Olympics, remains invaluable. Therefore, harvesting the abundant youthful talents in the country is a is one of the outstanding veritable means of addressing youth athletes who specialize in the Long restiveness, jobs creation, economic Jump event. She created sensation empowerment, revenue generation, this year 2021 with her leap of 7.17 equitable distribution of income and breaking the Long Jump African social integration. The significant record of 7.12 held by Olympic Gold impact, as well as the multiplier effect medalist Chioma Ajunwa since 1996 to the growth and development of the same year of her birth. She won a society, cannot be over-emphasized. bronze medal at the just concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Finally, Blessing Oborududu, a freestyle wrestler, that has represented Nigeria at different continental and global events winning several medals and laurels for the country. Included in her collection of medals are 10 Gold

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