FORTUNES OF SPORTS IN DELTA
One does not need a doctoral thesis on advanced number theory to work out that the present state of sports in Delta State is not exactly an advertisement for sustaining and building on its unrivalled sporting prowess.
Delta State has consistently proven its mettle in the sporting sector in Nigeria. Let us put on the old record. The state’s excellent track record in sports dates back to 1973, when it won the inaugural edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) under the now defunct Bendel State. Following the creation of Delta and Edo out of Bendel in 1991, it went on its winning streak of the NSF, culminating in its 7th consecutive triumph at the most recent edition held in Delta State in 2022.
Quite apart from their collective and team success, Delta is also renowned for producing some of the country’s finest athletes. There is Ese Brume, the Ughelli-born Olympic long jump specialist; Blessing Okagbare, the Sapele-born long jump and sprint specialist who has won several laurels for Nigeria; Raymond Ekevwo, the 2019 100m African Games Champion; Usheoritse Itsekiri, a former 100m NSF Champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympian. There is also Efe Ajagba, another Ughelli-born professional boxer who set a record for the fastest victory in boxing history in 2018, amongst other athletes. Clearly, an ocean of ink and forests of papers may not be enough to list the numerous talents in the state.
Yet, Sports in Delta state has lurched through multiple crisis because of organizational dysfunction and a failure to cope with trauma and change. Several inner contradictions have also led to uncertainty, confusion, loss of confidence, depression and errors in judgment.
A radically different approach to sports would therefore be required, as the current process is not cutting the mustard. Such efforts would include reviewing the long established practice of laying down tracks as the train is speeding down them. This has always been a short-term strategy. There is now the need to establish a long-term strategy on where the track is headed.
Sports policy, a major component of sports development, defines the government’s vision, strategy, necessary legislation, responsibilities and programmes for the development of sports in a society. It aids in the conceptualization of a clear pathway and sustainable ecosystem to maximize sporting potential.
Yet, Sports Policy or Framework in Delta state has been about exciting as watching paint dry. Instead of being a challenge or a revelation, it has become a bore. This is the state’s mood which reflects a profound state of uncertainty. Although there is the 2020 National Sports Industry Policy, there is still the need for the formulation of a Delta State Sports Policy taking into consideration the peculiarity and exigencies of the state. Such a policy would incorporate areas such as the obligations of the state, local governments and other stakeholders; sports inclusivity and social development in communities; funding, finance and investments for sports; sports facilities and infrastructure; sports and health; sports and education, etc.
Secondly, sporting infrastructure is fundamental to sports development globally. The maximization of sporting potential hinges, largely, on the availability of world class sporting infrastructure. Yet there is still a huge sporting infrastructural gap in Delta State. Whilst there are not many standard facilities to point to, the few ones available are either obsolete, non-functional or below par. This is in addition to the entrenched lack of maintenance culture.
The sporting infrastructure base of the state would therefore need to be strengthened, with a view to bring it in sync with global standards. Such a move would involve the construction of stadiums and sports performance Centre’s in the three senatorial zones of the state. The economic benefits of the facilities would also need to be explored, with a view to ensure that the structures are contributing to the revenue generation drive of the state. Issues of maintenance culture should also be in the mix, with consideration to strategies being deployed in advanced climes.
Thirdly, Delta State, like most states in Nigeria, has a multi-ethnic and multicultural composition. This, as expected, often brings about ethnic disharmony and friction. Sports, as a tool to advance social cohesion, could therefore be used as a vehicle to address such issues. Such a move would involve the organisation of annual Local Government Sports Festivals, InterLocal Government Competitions, InterCommunities Competitions, etc. This will go a long way in stemming the tide of ethnic clashes, as it will build peaceful co-existence between the several ethnic groups in the state.
Also, Delta State is one of the few states endowed with a vast riverine area. This could be leveraged on for the socio-economic development of the state by building capacity in historically European and North American water sports, in line with the evolving trend of Olympic sports. Such a move would involve, as part of the sports development agenda, the inclusion of sports such as sailing, canoeing, rowing, diving, etc. This approach will help utilize the potential of youths who are talented in water sports and also open the floodgates for foreign investors which will raise the sports visibility of the state a notch higher.
Finally, sports have long moved from a recreational activity into a business enterprise. The global sports market compromising of infrastructure, events, training, media, sports goods, etc., is estimated to be around $700 to $900 billion per year. Yet Delta has been behind the curve in leveraging on the business component of sports. A sports business model for the state would therefore need to be created, with a view to using sports to generate income for the state. Such a move would involve engaging both local and foreign sports consultants to carry out a feasibility study on the state, with a view to formulating a workable sports business model in line with current global sporting realties.