TEAM IMPULSUM: A REVIEW OF SPORTS DIRECTOR MANIFESTO

by John Bukunmi

Sports has become a subject of considerable debate within society, evolving into a social mechanism that facilitates expression, interpretation, and the configuration of meaning. Its influence spans numerous aspects of both public and private life, and it is frequently utilized as a tool for propaganda and politics.

The manifesto released by Omodara Tolani Peter during his candidacy for the position of Sports Director at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, outlines several proposals aimed at promoting a more inclusive and diversified sports culture. Some of these proposals have been partially implemented, while others remain stagnant due to various challenges.

Promotion, Inclusion, and Recognition of Other Sports and Athletes

It has come to light that many sports, particularly those outside the mainstream, have been neglected in the faculty's sports agenda. Football, for instance, has historically been prioritized over other sporting activities, reflecting the prevailing belief that certain sports lack intrinsic value. The Faculty has long assigned value to sports based on their social roles and effects within the institution. While sports like basketball, tennis, and judo have received little attention, Omodara Peter's manifesto emphasizes the promotion and inclusion of these and other activities within the faculty.

Some progress has been made in this area; however, the overall growth of alternative sports has been slow, with many initiatives still in their early stages. A concerning indicator of this stagnation is the low turnout for various sports, with football leading at a below-average participation rate, while sports like judo recorded 0% engagement. This reflects a worrying trend of apathy toward sports outside of the dominant disciplines, signaling a deeper issue with the institution's sports culture.

The lack of interest is further highlighted by departmental disparities in participation. For instance, Political Science emerged as the most active department with just 13 respondents showing interest in sports—an alarmingly low number. Even more concerning, there were no respondents from the Department of Geography, suggesting that sports engagement is severely limited within the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Continuity of Leadership

The previous Sports Administrator laid a solid foundation for sporting activities, and Omodara Peter, in his manifesto, pledged to continue building on this legacy. Indeed, during his tenure, there has been an increase in student participation in sports, thanks in part to the policy changes he has introduced. However, despite some positive strides, Omodara acknowledged that there are still significant challenges preventing the full realization of these goals. As he explained in an interview, key factors such as academic workload, the "seeking the bag" syndrome (a focus on financial pursuits), and a general lack of commitment to extracurricular activities have hindered further progress.

These challenges reflect the rational use of sports as a mechanism of social control and normalization. Ideally, sports should be viewed as an educational strategy that promotes positive social values, such as integration, tolerance, perseverance, cooperation, solidarity, and fair play. These values are essential in fostering a well-rounded student experience that goes beyond academics.

Raising Awareness and Generating Interest

One of the critical aspects of Omodara’s manifesto is the need for heightened awareness and engagement to spark student interest in sports. However, despite efforts to raise awareness, significant progress is still lacking in this area. Policies to address this issue have yet to be fully implemented, raising the question: when will these promises become a reality, or are they merely hollow assurances? Will future administrations continue to present lofty promises, only to fulfill a few and abandon the rest?

In a candid interview, the Sports Director stated: “A link was created to gather interest, but the response was disappointingly low. To my surprise, only a small group of students expressed an interest in sporting activities. Various factors, such as the drive for financial success and the pressure of academic workload, contribute to this lack of enthusiasm. As expected, students are not fully committed to extracurricular activities.”

Despite these setbacks, the Sports Director noted some progress: “Very few students have come forward to express their interest in sports like basketball, but we’ve managed to organize training sessions for those interested. For example, a chess training session has been running since the beginning of the semester, and a chess tournament is planned upon resumption.”

Moreover, the manifesto’s emphasis on continuity, the commitment to enhance the groundwork established by the previous administrators, appears inadequate in generating real, lasting change. If student involvement stays poor and policy execution keeps falling behind, it prompts the question: Is this just another round of broken promises? The insufficient awareness initiatives, the lack of genuine incentives for student involvement, and the academic and financial stresses that overshadow extracurricular activities indicate that the sports Director did not do his due diligence in drafting his manifesto.