FIFA SUSPENSION : AN ULTIMATE REMINDER OF HEALING POWER OF SPORT IN NIGERIA - DR. ORJI KALU The FIFA ban prohibiting Nigeria from taking part in all international football may have been predicted, occurring after a recent court order compelled our Sports Minister to appoint a civil service member to the Nigeria Football Federations (NFF) helm. However, this measure, brought upon the nation from an organization not unfamiliar with controversy all its own, could impact our country in unexpected ways, hinder our communities who understand that sport continues to play a key role in healing an often-perceived to be fragmented national identity. Our colleagues at the NFF should understand the binding effect of athletics to patriotism and ensure that the situation is resolved swiftly for the good of Nigeria. Any person at all familiar with our spectacular country will readily admit Nigerias great and, possibly, globally unparalleled love of sport and, particularly, football, as well as its unprecedented ability to bring together millions of our citizens who, under many circumstances, often feel separated by religion, ethnicity, or predisposition. As our pastime and national pride, sport and football have traditionally served as that thread that creates a shared belief in the virtues of national unity. With Nigerias economy now officially the largest on the African continent and destined to reach even greater heights in the 21st century, the role of sport is now becoming even more significant. Given our young population, we must prioritize fortifying the merits of team-play among youths, providing them with a quality education, and mobilizing them in the workplace to ensure that we are capable of aptly defending our position as Africas most dynamic nation. As Nigeria follows with baited breath the situation surrounding the FIFA ban, we must seek to use this ordeal as an opportunity to highlight the great importance of sport in realizing our national ambitions and in cultivating unity, pride and patriotism. Perhaps more than anything else, the FIFA ban should serve as a clear reminder to us all of the need to invest in Nigerian sport and footballs historical power to build bridges.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:54:57 +0000
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