GreatIFE Decides'26: Sports Director Aspirants Trade Ideas on Inclusion, Digitalisation, and Talent Hunt

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             Adedoyin Onajobi 

Ahead of the Great Ife Students’ Union election, aspirants for the position of Director of Sports unveiled their manifestos and fielded questions from the press on critical issues shaping sports development at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The press confrontation, held on July 22 at the 1000 Seaters Lecture Theatre, spotlighted key themes including gender inclusivity, publicity, digitalisation, talent discovery, and the structural future of campus sports.

Responding to a question on gender inclusivity, Abudu Ayobami Fatai (Bambam) anchored his vision on “continuity and inclusivity,” emphasizing the need to not only encourage participation but also build confidence among athletes, particularly female students. He stressed that his administration would ensure equal visibility for all sports while sustaining initiatives such as the Sports Fiesta and reviving Inter-Hall competitions.

In contrast, Oladosu Miracle Okikijesu (Big Pope) outlined a strategy driven by digitalisation and structured funding, promising equitable allocation of resources and opportunities across both male and female categories.

On improving sports publicity beyond collaboration with the Public Relations Officer, Big Pope proposed the establishment of a Welfare and Liaison Department. According to him, the unit would coordinate with departmental sports directors and media officers to ensure consistent dissemination of information across faculties.

Bambam, however, cited Section 32 of the Students’ Union Constitution, noting that the Director of Sports is mandated to operate through a sports committee. He explained that his administration would prioritize collaboration with Faculty Directors of Sports, Hall Sports Secretaries, and Indigenous Association sports heads, maintaining a top-down communication structure rather than direct engagement with departmental directors.

He further argued that strengthening existing frameworks would enhance information flow and participation, referencing his experience during the Great Ife Unity Cup, where faculty-level coordination improved both visibility and engagement.

Addressing questions on modern sporting programmes, Bambam highlighted the need for scouting systems to identify emerging talents, suggesting that OAU could adopt models from other institutions. He maintained that funding constraints should not hinder implementation, advocating for scalable initiatives supported by media visibility.

On his part, Big Pope elaborated on his digitalisation agenda, proposing increased involvement of alumni and external stakeholders to support funding. He also suggested leveraging innovation within the university, particularly from students in the Faculty of Technology, to develop digital solutions. He referenced platforms like “Para Scores,” which provide live match updates and statistics, as a model for enhancing sports coverage on campus.

When questioned on talent discovery, Bambam called for the revival of structured scouting programmes, noting that such systems previously contributed to identifying gifted athletes. He also emphasized the role of media in amplifying talent, citing examples of athletes discovered through local sports initiatives who progressed to national representation.

Big Pope, in defending his track record, pointed to his tenure as Faculty Director of Sports for Science, where he sustained existing programmes while introducing digital tools for publicity. According to him, initiatives such as statistical tracking, performance charts, and digital databases significantly improved awareness and engagement within the faculty’s sports community.

The confrontation ultimately provided a platform for both aspirants to articulate their visions, defend their strategies, and engage pressing concerns, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely contested race in the upcoming Students’ Union elections.

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