Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D
Grassroots sports play a huge positive role in the lives of millions of people across the world. From school sport and community schemes through local clubs, grassroots sports provide diverse opportunities for people of different backgrounds and abilities and, for a small few, provide the foundation for a career at the elite level.
Grassroots sports remain a valuable undertaking that should be available to every child. Even more important is to make sure that anyone who desires to participate in any sporting activity gets the neccessary encouragement and opportunity to harness and develop his/her skills.
The above appeared to have aligned with the vision of the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, as he discloses revival of grasports sports to harness and unlock the greater potentials of Abia youths through sustainable mechanisms.
As contained in his speech while declaring open the maiden edition of the Governor’s Secondary Schools Unity Games held recently at Umuahia Township Stadium, the governor consciously reeled out the regularisation of inter-house sports in the secondary schools and effective collaboration of the Ministry of Youths and Sports and Ministry of Education to restore Physical and Health Education in both primary and secondary schools in the state.
The governor also seized the opportunity to announce the setting up of a sports facility at Nsulu, Isialangwa North Local Government Area which, according to him, will be run as a professional venture.
He also gave a hint of an ongoing talks with both foreign and local sports investors to develop sports in Abia, why equally calling on other public-spirited individuals and development partners to partner the state to further harness the abundant potentialmms in sports.
Gov. Otti further expantiated his plans towards sports development agenda consciously rooted at the grassroots and to export talents to the global arena.
“What we have started with these games is a signal to what we want to do for the entire sports ecosystem in the state.
“We have recently developed a comprehensive grassroots sports programme that would involve the development of sports infrastructure, training and exposure of talented athletes to life-changing opportunities and platforms.
“We are already in talks with local and foreign partners to commence the pilot phase of the programme, which will see us build model sports centres in communities and urban neighbourhoods, where kids and teenagers with talents and interest in pursing careers in sports would be taught the ropes by accomplished professionals through structured programmes”.
The speech of Gov. Otti leaves no speculation behind as he foresaw both primary and secondary schools as grooming arenas for young sports talents given the determination of his administration to harness the sporting potentials and opportunities of Abia youths within the pre-tertiary school age.
Gov. Otti, on the other hand, may have appreciated the benefits of Physical Education Programmes, in primary and secondary schools. Both are foundational in terms of developing an interest in sports and providing a gateway to participation. That could be the reason the governor directed the collaboration of the Ministry of Youths and Sports as well as its Education counterpart to restore Physical and Health Education in all Abia schools.
There are also other benefits of grassroots sports participation. Most obviously, sport is a great way of achieving physical health and possibly the best way to combat general, lifestyle-related poor health on a community basis.
Childhood obesity in particular, is a huge problem in the society, along with related conditions such as diabetes. Encouraging and facilitating regular physical exercise through sport can go a long way in combating those health issues.
The impact of sports participation on mental health are enormous and advantageous. Physical exercise can be as effective for mild clinical depression as medication, as strenuous activity stimulates feel-good chemicals in the brain. Sports give back more than solitary exercise does in this regard. Playing as part of a team, achieving goals, taking responsibility and following discipline can all help build confidence and self-respect.
Gov. Otti may have also captured in his plans for grassroots sports development, extra-benefits, such as promotion of unity, togetherness and progress among and within the communities. It is on record that some community disputes have been amicably resolved through the instrumentality of sports and football in particular. Sports have rallied communities and villages for development, healthy competition and community service.
Youth sports can be enormously beneficial for children with behavioral problems, and this, in turn, can lead to better educational and career opportunities. Communities with active youth sports programmes also see a corresponding reduction in crime and anti-social behavior.
It is gratifying that grassroots and youth sports deserve greater government attention as envisioned by the visionary governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
