Utilizing Grassroots Sports for National Development: The Ted Afu Example

 

<<CLICK/TAP HERE>>

By Simon Abang

Since 2015 when Mr. Ted Inyang Afu, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State launched his annual sports festival in Boki, the event has become a major rallying point for the identification and development of talents, as well as a peace mechanism and enhance social interactions/cohesion among the Bokis' and their neighbors. Just like everyone, The 8th Edition of the sporting fiesta was a blast. 

The St Michael Primary School Field Bansan-Osokom played a host of the tournament. 32 teams drawn from all local football clubs were registered to compete for the trophy and win prizes. 

The event which was kickoff by Sir Victor Abang aka Mature, APC  House of Representatives Candidate for Ikom/Boki in November 2022 culminated in the defeat of the Junior Stars Football Club of Bansan-Osokom to a 2-0 score by the K3 Football Club of Nsadop in a fiercely competitive final match played on the 31st December 2022. 

The final game attracted over 2000 spectators from all walks of life. Amongst them are the APC House of Representatives Candidate for Ikom/Boki, Sir Victor Abang, The Secretary of Boki LGA who represented the local government Chairman, Pastor John Ewa, the Hon Ted Afu, the sponsor, Chief Amorous Okafa who represented the Paramount Ruler of Boki, HRM Ata-Otu Fredaline Akandu, many politicians, captains of industries, religious leaders, opinion leaders, etc, etc... 

Various categories of awards and cash prizes were issued to the players and officials of the tournament. Examples are, the best player of the tournament, the highest goal scorer, the best goalkeeper, the most behave club award, etc. The officials of the game were also awarded for professional conduct. 

Speaking after the end of the final match held in St Michael Bansan-Osokom mini stadium, Ted Afu the sponsor of the event called for an all-inclusive approach to reactivate and develop sports in Boki. He expressed optimism that if properly developed the multi-billion dollar sporting industry is large and vibrant enough to enhance position changes and reduce youth restiveness and poverty which will, in turn, advance peace and enhances qualitative development with Boki as a snippet of the macro national interest. 

Also, speaking before handing over the trophy and the first prize to the winning team, the special guest of honor, Sir Victor Abang aka Mature eulogizes Ted's efforts and promises to contribute immensely to the development of sport in Boki beginning with a legislative framework in the lower chamber of the National Assembly if voted to power. In his words, sport is a major instrument that has been used to reduce poverty in most parts of the world. The Brazilian, the UK, France, and most countries of the world's economies are partly funded and grown by their sporting industry. Mature content that, the football industry is estimated to reach 150 billion U.S. dollars by 2023, and the global sports apparel market at around 200 billion U.S. dollars, with both showing a very reliable growth trend. The projection is that by 2027 the market value of global football will reach $3,712.7 trillion. Given this, we must key into the global football market and tap into the abundant opportunities for the development of the homeland. The Ted Afu template remains a worthy example that must be harnessed, Mature concludes. 

The Boki Local Government Chairman and Chairman Boki APC campaign Council, Pastor John Ewa who was represented by the Council Secretary, Mr. Frank Oyong spoke fervently in support of local sports development. He accentuated his vision for Boki sport development and concluded that such is integral in the APC manifesto. And to sustain the dream the people need to vote for the APC back to back. 

Apart from football, the annual sporting fiesta also played hosts a variety of events like the Draft Game competition, Marathon race, and Indigenous games like Digammã, Kpayie', and Banfùon, and various winners were recorded. 

The high point of the event was the presentation of awards and traditional dances from the Osokom Dance Hall. 

S.E Abang writes from Bansan-Osokom