A sports administrator, Mr. Babajide Shokoya-Olayinka, on Thursday, called for the development of the sports ministry from the grassroots.
Shokoya-Olayinka, the Director Of Studies, at Davidhall College, Ikoyi, made the call at a news conference to commend and honor 14-year-old Isaac Aondoakaa, an ex-student, who currently played for the Nigeria U-17 AFCON team.
“This occasion is to re-emphasize the need to build our sports ministry from the grassroots, especially from the schools.
“It is important to note that we can get it right if we follow the basic principles of developmental sports.
“I will like to mention here, the young boy, Isaac Aondoakaa, playing for Nigeria at the ongoing U-17 CAF-AFCON Competition, started at Davidhall College in JSS2 in September 2020.
“He was on scholarship by Kakawa Sports. He is a very brilliant student, academically. The first time he represented Devidhall at the 3rd edition of the Lagos State Elite School Cup Competition (ESCACUP), he joined the Bethel Football Academy.
“That year, the College did not get to the finals of ESCACUP. At that third edition, Isaac became the captain of the school at JSS2 and we won the prestigious cup of Lagos Else School Cup Compentoa, which we successfully defended at the fourth edition,” he said.
He further called on private organizations, well-meaning Nigerians, and the state and National Sports Commission to put up policies that will enhance consistent competitions with open facilities for young talents to develop.
Shokoya MD/CEO Elite School Cup Competition encouraged private schools to encourage talented students to develop their wards in perfecting their talents and not just academics.
“Isaac was scouted in October 2022 (the 4th edition of ESCACUP) to come to Abuja for the U-17 football screening, by the scouting team of Coach Nduka Ngbade (Head Coach of Nigeria U-17 Male Team).
“This young gentleman of noble character eventually made the Final team representing Nigeria at the ongoing CAF U-17 Championship.
“Let me use this opportunity to encourage all other private schools to encourage talented students to develop their wards in the psycho-motive domain (talents) not just academics alone.
“We are also calling on private organizations, well-meaning Nigerians, State, and National Sports Commission to make policies, financial and material contributions that will enhance consistent competitions with open facilities for these young talents to develop,” he said.
He revealed that Davidhall College has a robust package in promoting footballers, basketballers, and other athletes by offering them scholarships while studying at Davidhall College Ikoyi.
Shokoya-Olayinka called on local government chairpersons and the House of Assembly representative, to assist both private and public schools to build raw talents and give students all the necessary support for them to become legends.
He said Davidhall College Ikoyi had produced a lot of outstanding young talents that represented Lagos State and Nigeria at different sporting events.
“Some of Davidhall’s talents were at the last year’s Milo Basketball Competition where Davidhall girls won the third position for Lagos State at the National Finals at Surulere Stadium.
“At the 2019 Junior Olympic at Dubai, Esther Mathew Ajuma of Davidhall College represented Nigeria ( female basketball) and they won the silver medal.
“She is currently the most valuable National Female Handball Player.
“We also have Seun Olayinka, a boy from Davidhall College, presently playing Basketball at BB2 Basketball Academy USA.