There is no doubt that sports happened to be a veritable instrument that unites people together today. Sports especially the game of football has proved that a moment can come when people would unite together irrespective of their problems, race, background, religion and status. In fact, the concept of “communalism” that has once lost in African Society (as a result of the appearance of ‘intruders’) has so many times resurfaced through sports especially when a football match is being watched. There are times without number that I’ve witnessed people gathering together in a spot rejoicing, dining and wining together in a very light atmosphere getting ready for a football match(especially the one involved National team) or a particular sporting event. This is a period when the three major tribes in Nigeria unites likewise Christian and Muslim sees themselves as one. But the emergence of foreign league today has really hijacked the love and passions that our people has towards our local clubs and even National team. Gone are the days when the stadium is always full to the brim whenever there is a football match between our clubside like Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Rangers, Julius Berger e.t.c. Even the so called “Supporters Club” of our local clubs has turned themselves to an “agent of Man.U, Gunners, Blues, Red Devil” and the likes. Our Youths today are so current in matches and transfer deals of these so called clubside than what is happening in their environment. Some youth would rather endure hunger so that the last N50 in their pocket could be used to buy a ticket at the football viewing centre popularly called “Stadium”. Many lives have gone and properties destroyed in the name of watching foreign clubs playing, the recent clash between Man United and Barcelona was the best example which le to the death of two people in Lagos as a result of the baseless argument that ensued among the fans of the two clubsides. I even heard a case of a father and son in Ibadan where the so called father beat his son to a comma simply because his son’s club defeated his own club in the football match. I think the statement that “ European gave African Independence,but their actions and activities still dominates the entire African Society” is becoming true or why should we divert all our attention and resources to a place to the extent of harming each other. Adequate care must be taken so that the prophecy that "football (especially foreign league) might likely cause the third world war" will not come to pass.
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Olaniran, Olawale Sunday is the author of the popular book ‘Nigeria So Far’. He can be reached on (234) 07033955770 and (234) 08054031719. E-mail: xundey22@yahoo.com Website: www.olawaleolaniran.blogspot.com
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